Sharee McFadden: A greater purpose

Sharee McFadden’s mantras gave her strength – and she often shares them today with friends, neighbors, and a social media community.

Presented by: Our York Media

The big smile and open arms weren’t just part of Sharee McFadden’s personality, they were part of a tool kit to get through life’s challenges.

“I needed to make friends easily,” she says.

The York woman grew up in a joyful family, but that didn’t mean it was easy. Abuse, homelessness and addiction were struggles she knew from an early age. She went to a different school every year up until the 9th grade, and the laugh and warm personality that has become so much a part of her life were traits she used to help her survive.

“It’s never been about faking it,” she says. “Stuff is going to be messed up in your life, and it’s about learning how to handle it.”

I know that I was given experiences that have led to my greater purpose. As an adult, I’ve found power and inspiration that I share with others.

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Sharee McFadden

When her mom brought Sharee, who was just 14, and her siblings from Philadelphia to York, they lived in a homeless shelter. Pain would often pop up when Sharee least expected it, like when she lost her best friend and her father a year later.

It could have been easy for Sharee to get lost in her own head, she says, but she made her loneliness a time to be comfortable and happy. Her mantras gave her strength – and she often shares them today with friends, neighbors, and a social media community.

“It’s OK to go through things and be impacted by them,” she says. “As a teenager, I was protective of my family and my story because I didn’t want anyone to think bad of us. But I know that I was given experiences that have led to my greater purpose. As an adult, I’ve found power and inspiration that I share with others.”

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