Lighten Up!

About the Book

Lighten Up! is a collection of 50 jokes and quotations by Johnny Shannon, who lives in an assisted living facility in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Despite his many health challenges since birth, John maintains a positive outlook in life, and his unique sense of humor is a prime way he does this. He likes to crack jokes, say funny sayings and make other interesting comments and observations that keep those around him laughing – and sometimes scratching their heads. The book is dedicated to his late mother, Mary Ann Inez Shannon, who died on Johnny’s 51st birthday in 2014, on April 2nd. He credits her for keeping him alive through his bout with severe pneumonia at six months of age, when he developed a 108-degree fever and was in a coma for 21 days. During this time, the intubation procedure collapsed his left lung, which causes him trouble to this day. Proceeds from sales of this book will help supplement John’s minimal government-assistance income.

About the Author

John Shannon lives in an assisted living facility in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. As noted in the introduction, he’s faced numerous health challenges since birth. Today he lives with a variety of health issues, both physical (like asthma and high blood pressure) and psychological (like schizophrenia). Despite these challenges, he strives to maintain a positive outlook in life, and maintaining his sense of humor is a prime way he does this. He likes to crack jokes, say funny sayings and make other interesting comments and observations that keep those around him laughing – and sometimes scratching their heads. He enjoys music, playing bingo and watching science fiction shows, especially “Star Trek.” He also uses his walker to perform personal-shopping services for other residents in his facility. Proceeds from sales of this book will help supplement his minimal government-assistance income