Shawn Cassillo
Shawn was my twenty-five year old nephew, my sister’s first born. He was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in high school. Prior to being diagnosed we were all confused and concerned about his erratic behaviors. Our intelligent, happy, delightful Shawn spun from seeming like the Shawn we knew to a Shawn who delivered grandiose speeches, sat in a catatonic state, heard voices, and self medicated through drugs and alcohol. Alec, Shawn’s younger brother, said, “I would not want to ever be inside his head.” Shawn was tortured by his illness and as Chase, another of Shawn’s brothers said at his funeral, “At least now he is at peace.” “Yes, Shawn, you are now an angel, something you always wanted to be.” Our angel, we are bicycling and raising money for you.
Aine
The one person that could always make Shawn smile, the person he cared about like nobody else, was his daughter, Aine. Aine is a smart, beautiful girl. Even though he can't be here with her now, we know her daddy Shawn will always be watching over her. It is for Aine too, that we embark on this journey. She's three and a half and so much like Shawn! Raine and I are very lucky that we get to spend time with Aine on the weekends. She brightens our life and reminds us that Shawn lives on.