You Have a Choice News Article

appeared in the Vermillion Standard Nov. 21, 2008

Hannah Shears, an inspirational speaker talked to women at A Women's Affair on November 8.

By Nicholas Yahn

Vermilion Standard

Speaker Hannah Shears spoke at A Women's Affair about choices on the November 9 weekend at the Vermilion Regional Centre. Shears promoted the idea of choice and how people need to know they always have a choice in the matter.

“People think that they may need to do something because of the lack of choice they may feel in an everyday setting. I'm here to hopefully help people know that they always have a choice,” said Shears.

Shears explained that at a younger age she struggled with understanding the idea of choice and that everything
that happened to her was because of misfortune.

“When I was younger I was sick a lot. I thought to myself that it was because this was how it was. I had
mononucleosis when I was younger and I dislocated my arm 14 times,” said Shears.

Then out of the blue Shears was diagnosed with cancer and for a moment contemplated not receiving treatment. “I thought why? I had always been sick in the past so this must be the end for me,” said Shears.

According to her it was a phone call she received from her brother that said she had to see him immediately.
“He called me up and wanted me to drive out there right away. He had lost his mom to cancer at a young age. I sat on his living room floor and he told me that I didn't chose to get cancer but I had a choice on how I would battle it,” said Shears.

This proved to be inspirational to her as after that night she explained that she then chose who her doctors
would be and the type of treatments she would receive.

This was also a turning point in Shears life as she understood everyone has a choice no matter how big or small of an incident that one might encounter.

“This really helped me along with my treatments. I felt better mentally and that is important when you are up against something like cancer,” said Shears.

Shears is now an inspirational speaker and attends conferences to pass on the idea that everyone should
recognize that they have the right to choose when it comes to a situation that may arise.