Palm Beach Gardens Lving - April 2026

10 PA L M B E A C H G A R D E N S L I V I N G | A P R I L 2 0 2 6 Shaveeshka DuMornay COVER FEATURE THE INSPIRING STORY OF A PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE GRADUATE PROFILES OF LEADERSHIP Shaveeshka “Shavie” DuMornay was in the midst of her studies at Palm Beach State College in 2024 when she was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease that impacts voluntary muscle movement, diminishing a person’s ability to walk, speak, eat, and breathe. However, while the body weakens, both mind and memory often remain sharp. “Even on the hardest days, I held onto the idea that learning is a form of hope. When my body began to fail me, my mind became the place where I could still grow, create, and connect. That purpose kept me moving forward.” In December 2025, the 51-year-old mother of three realized her dream of earning a Bachelor’s of Applied Science degree in Supervision and Management, with a concentration in Health Management. “Walking away was not an option for me. Every time I thought about quitting, I pictured my children watching me, seeing how I handled the hardest chapter in my life. I wanted them to see that even when circumstances change, your dreams do not have to disappear.” Shavie’s illness has meant a reversal of roles for her and her children: 23-year-old Kyle, 20-year-old Kayla, and 13-year- old Kaleb. “As a parent, I had always been the one taking care of everything. Suddenly, my family had to learn how to support me in new ways, from helping me get around to adapting to how we communicated.” Attending the graduation ceremony at Palm Beach State’s Duncan Theatre in Lake Worth, sons Kyle and Kaleb and husband Wilson DuMornay, MD, accepted the - By Angela Harrington | Photos by Neil Cohen Photography and Carol McDonald -