Shannon Rose, the voice of EA Sports MMA, has been honored Hillsborough County, Florida for his work with Ehlers-Danlos Network CARES, a group dedicated to improving the life of those suffering with EDS, and providing research and education about the disorder. Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS - also known as Cutis hyperelastica) is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders, caused by a defect in the synthesis of collagen. Rose has lived with the disease since birth.
At age 12 Rose suffered paralysis in both his arms and lost the use of his voice for a year, but he managed to regain the use of all. Rose still battles many other complications that affect his daily life due to EDS. Today Rose visits hospital and schools wherever and whenever he can, sharing his message and proving that anyone can overcome diversity if they are determined to succeed. For that message of hope and his community involvement, the Hillsborough County Commissioners will honor Shannon Rose on January 5, 2010 at 9:00 AM.
Rose says that when he was younger video games as therapy:
"I used videogames growing up as a form of rehabilitation, so to see myself in a videogame is very surreal."
While his love of video games is interesting, it is his path to the MMA game that is more fascinating. That path began when Rose was very sick at age 12. Through Make-A-Wish he got the chance to meet "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes and legendary NWA announcer Gordon Solie -- who gave Rose his first shot at being a professional ring announcer at the age of 14. Rose also met Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan. With years of hard work Rose climbed to the top of the Florida wrestling scene, inevitably leading to him being called "Voice of Florida Wrestling." The rest, as they say, is history.
You can learn more about Rose's accomplishments by visiting his web site. He will be honored on channel 622 for Bright House customers, and channel 22 for Verizon and Comcast customers in Hillsborough County. Outside of the county, the public can watch the ceremony live on the Web at www.htv22.org.
