Tennessee Governor Bill Lee Honors The Inspirational Shane Michael Taylor With A Special Day Of Recognition Monday, November 1
Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson Country Reciprocates The Governor’s Proclamation Marking November 1 as “Shane Michael Taylor’s Humanizing Healthcare Day”
In honor of November serving as National Family Caregiver Month, Tennessee’s Governor Bill Lee has issued a proclamation declaring November 1st a day of recognition for the quadriplegic motivational mentor, author and country music songwriter living with spastic cerebral palsy, Shane Michael Taylor. The celebration didn’t stop there as the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County also issued a proclamation marking November 1 as “Shane Michael Taylor’s Humanizing Healthcare Day.”
“I grew up in the northeast, so the only way I was exposed to country music was by listening to Country 92.5 in Connecticut and by watching TNN and CMT, along with the occasional network specials,” says Shane. “So to me, Nashville and the Land of Oz were one in the same as they existed on the screen. But deep down, I felt that Nashville and country music were calling me. Having a career in country music and calling Nashville home were far-fetched dreams. I let my heart guide and both dreams came true. There are no words to describe the emotions of being honored and embraced by both the city of Nashville and the state of Tennessee for a career in country music, which was born from a simple desire to connect as a human being. I think it shows that, wherever we currently are on life’s journey, is exactly where we are meant to be. We just need to let our hearts be our guide.”
Shane was surprised with both proclamations (one statewide and one citywide) by Nashville councilman Robert Swope on Tuesday, October 26 at the Divas and Dudes charity board meeting at Trattoria Il Mulino in Nashville. That same night, Shane was also selected to serve as the new Executive Director of the charity.
“It is an honor and privilege to acknowledge Shane Michael Taylor’s achievements and contributions to not only Nashville and the State of Tennessee, but to the world as well. He is an exemplary role model for all of us, and we pray he continues to follow his path to assist others.”
– Robert Swope, Council Member for District 4 of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
Divas and Dudes is the newly formed brainchild of Nashville attorney Karin Paparelli. The Tennessee non-profit organization brings hope, recognition and joy to families fighting childhood cancer and life-threatening illnesses.
“Shane Michael Taylor embodies the term tenacity and is living proof that our mindset can be the most liberating factor when pursuing our dreams. Shane is a songwriter, author, motivational speaker, educator, healthcare advocate and budding philanthropist. I believe Divas and Dudes is about to jettison into a new and exciting season with him at the helm. And so it is with much delight that I pass the baton as Executive Director of Divas and Dudes to Shane Michael.”
– Karin Paparelli, Founder
Shane is a masterful writer who pens not only country songs, but also crafts workshops to help raise awareness around the prevalence of abuse in the caregiver industry. He selflessly uses his platform to advocate for the rights and recognition of those with disabilities and families who rely on caregiver services for survival.
About Shane Michael Taylor
Shane Michael Taylor is a remarkable man who has overcome obstacles and transcended physical limitations to become a respected author, songwriter and motivational speaker. Shane navigates the world in a wheelchair battling daily with communication hurdles as a result of being born with a severe form of cerebral palsy, a developmental disorder affecting movement, speech and posture.
Making excuses, however, was never an option for this Waterbury, CT native, who taught himself to type with his nose at the age of five. Fueled by his lifelong love of country music and an unrelenting desire to shatter stereotypes, Shane earned a college degree in Music Business at the University of New Haven with a presidential scholarship and began making frequent visits to Nashville to co-write with prominent Music City songwriters like Lorna Flowers and Mason Douglas.
Throughout 2021, Shane has promoted his latest song I’m Giving In, a single that was featured on the Academy of Country Music’s New Music Friday Playlist placing him “shoulder to shoulder” with hit makers such as Thomas Rhett, Ashley McBryde, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Dan + Shay, Keith Urban, Tracy Lawrence and Miranda Lambert.
His music video, which premiered on CMT and The Country Network, was centered around dishonest practices that are prevalent in the licensed caregiver industry, but are rarely talked about. Shane has created learning workshops tackling these topics to both raise awareness and promote change with caregivers and their clients.
Regarding the powerful visual content, CMT called the video “very inspirational.” Lorianne Crook of the Crook & Chase Countdown also stated, “I am a caretaker full time in addition to producing and hosting our shows and running our company. I totally get how it can feel so heavy, but there is always a way to try to make each day better. Shane is now touching people in exactly the same way he was so touched listening to Reba and Garth growing up. Pretty amazing!”
