User:Shelia Myles (LaCosta)

Who is Shelia Myles (LaCosta Gifford) Beating the Odds with Cerebral Palsy: Shelia’s Journey With God Shelia Myles(LaCosta) '''is a new American singer/songwriter, with Cerebral Palsy, who uses an electric wheelchair for mobility. She was born April 28, 1977'''. Shelia was born into this world with many challenges. She was fighting for her life from the beginning of conception. Shelia has an identical twin sister, Itashia, who (unfortunately) passed away an hour after she was born. Itashia’s journey in life was short lived, leaving her twin, Shelia, alone to fight her own challenges in the world. Shelia had a hole in her heart which remained open due to her prematurity causing a cardiac arrest, at 2 days old. The hole in her heart healed up itself, without surgery, but not without the Good Lord having his hand in it. Shelia stayed in the ICU for six weeks and came home on the day she was supposed to be born. Shelia has been blessed with wonderful parents whom taught her a great love for music at a young age. Shelia took piano and singing lessons very early in life and could sing any variety of music from Classical to Country. Betty her mother is a RN, a Violinist and avid music lover. Before getting her RN license she worked many years for a big record distributor in SLC and also had her radio license. John her father aka: (Big Daddy G) currently retired at '''Classic Country KSOP AM, located in SLC, Utah. Her father has been a radio announcer since he was a teen.  Shelia has one brother, 3 step brothers and one step sist'''er. When Shelia was 16 years of age, she decided to follow in her father’s footsteps, in radio, and was offered an internship at another radio station. Shelia got married right out of high school at 18 years of age to Stephan. The following year Shelia and Stephan had a beautiful little girl named Mikayla. With a new child Shelia's love for radio and music got put on the back burner. Stephan passed away suddenly and life took a big turn. With a child to raise Shelia started her writing once again.

A few years later she met the love of her life Jeremy and they married. Now they work as a team with him being her manager. Shelia started writing music in grade school and was told by many teachers/ professors, throughout her life, that she should be a writer or musician. She has won an award for her writing skills. While attending college she published and autobiography that is still being used today to assist and instruct others. Growing up around the music business and radio Shelia has had the opportunity to meet many singers/songwriters throughout her childhood and make many lifetime friends. Shelia wants to thank the many entertainers who have inspired her : '''La Costa Tucker, Gary Morris, Boyz II Men, Johnny Cash, Garth Brooks, Sawyer Brown, Johnny Duncan, Steve Warner, Bobby Vee, Casting Crowns, Newsboys, Ronnie Milsap, and Stevie Wonder, and many more. '''Shelia wishes to thank the Good Lord, her husband, daughter, mother, father and all of her family and friends whom inspire her on a daily basis. They have have all supported her in many ways throughout the years. She wants to extend a big thank you to Z104 KSOP FM, and a special thanks to her brother CJ, and her father, Big Daddy G.

Shelia was the first physically disabled person to be mainstreamed into the school system in Utah, and also served as the United Cerebral Palsy's Poster Child in Utah, thanks to her mother for always pushing, believing and wanting the best for her. Shelia is a Pioneer for Many Disabled People and because she succeeded many others were able to follow in her footsteps. Shelia wants to extend positive thoughts to people with disabilities, and to inspire them to follow their heart and dreams! http://www.sheliamyles.com