My Name is Pam Madison , I am starting this fundraiser for my Son , Shawn Juntunen . 

In September of  2007 , Our world changed as did  Shawn's . Shawn's life  as He knew it was ripped away from Him , as He tried to save His very own , against a violent attempt  to choke him to death , with a quick reaction in a moment of air starvation , he grabbed His pocket knife & stabbed  His attacker , once . His attacker sadly was under the influence of heavy drugs as were His counterparts , they drove around with the victim for an unknown period of time , until the police located them. Later that victim , demised. 

So you ask what does this truly have to do with a fundraiser ? Ask yourself ? What would you have done in the very same situation . When the State Statute 776.012 states that you may use force and even deadly force if you feel your life is in imminent danger .

This was not an action Shawn wished to have chosen, but was given No other option .Eighteen years old and your life is now in the hands of the very State Departments "that are supposed to protect you " .If you elect to need more info because of  unfamiliarity , you may do so at www.standingupforshawn.com.

In Self defense  , they reiterate to you that when using this as your means of reasoning  you should not show remorse or hesitation , you apply it was your only choice . Verbatim from Shawn  " I   did  not wish for my life to  be altered  from an eighteen year old fulltime employee to a convict , I did not wish for my friend  to pass away , I did not wish to cause His family grave pain and emptiness , as much as I did not wish to cause the endured pain and emptiness , my family felt , now. I do not ask for pity , I've asked for  forgiveness by some of the family and from my Maker .

I believed in a system that failed me , My family believed in that same system , clinging to every word uttered ,  every email sent , an attorney and forensic expert that assured my  recollection of events , were spot on and explained in detail  that I truly had no choice , when  I chose Life . 

I chose  air and Life and ultimately  I've paid with mine . Prison is not easy , living within your created nightmare , is not one of ease. I am not a monster , I am not vicious . I have a heart , I  weep behind closed doors ,I have shivered with no heat  , Ive  sweat  like I never knew I could , Ive slept on steel with a mat much like kinder garden, At times ,  I 've been in situations " I thought , I would Die , I eat , breathe , sleep the repercussions  of  that instant , "the moment , many lives would never be the same ". I do live in pain even through the smiles you see , when my time is lightened by a visit to me .Ive been brought to people and they to me in ways , I never would have imagined , the encouragement and support for myself & my family has been one segment of this journey that was vital , at least for me . To know individuals believed in me and cared of my well being , all while living in such a degrading environment , to know that there were people , I now consider friends , supporting not only me , but holding up my Mother , my rock , watching my Sister become the young , bright lady she's become , following her dream .For this I give thanks and know that my Maker placed it just right .

My time in the concrete world is coming to a close , the light I can finally see , aspirations of applying new trades I learned while locked away ,I have a dream , I hope to have them become a productive part of me in the outside world.  I wish to be self employed  to no longer have someone dogging me , I aim to be successful although it will be a struggle , I feel The struggle  , ive endured the worst &  all this time has prepared me  . Its time for me to spread the wings that were quickly clipped , time to be a family , time to try and retrieve normal again , make a lunch and off to work I go . Ive places to go and people to meet and see. I have a life plan and it includes productivity .

Now that I ve spoke, I'll allow my Mom to chime in for me , It is with a humble heart she speaks for me ; In order to obtain the things I long to be , it will take a bit of money  to purchase a vehicle to make my primary source of production a reality  , along with initial expenses for probation " right out of the gate " and  some tools will also be needed. I don't ask that you think , we are better than any other , we don't ask that you even feel he is entitled to your help  but if you would like to see Shawn succeed , after a journey of obstacles from Hell and would like to donate to the cause , we as a whole would collectively be forever grateful . He doesn't want much , even something that is  mechanically in need . As when you have been stripped of everything , even dignity ,you'll gladly accept anything . We want all of His followers and supporters to know , without you , I cannot fathom how I would have endured any of this , let alone how he would have kept His sanity . We appreciate each and everyone of you that's traveled this treacherous road along side us and we know without a doubt , this was all due to the work of a Higher Power . 

Lets get Shawn set up , so we are not scrambling the last few months to get things situated  for Him to get on the road to living life . Bless you all . 

Love , The Madison's & Shawn J.