The Shan Show has just been launched… and this powerful new talk show, hosted by the most inspirational South African, is something we should all watch!
Johannesburg, South Africa (23 April 2021) – Shan Visser’s story is both heartbreaking and incredibly powerful… a mongoose bit the young South African, and after having 4 limbs amputated and over 70 operations to save her life, the local survivor and warrior has just launched the Shan Show!
In January 2017, Shan fell almost fatally ill and had to have all 4 limbs amputated. Nearly 70 surgeries later and counting, today, Shan has released her very own short documentary and her very own inspiring talk show, “The Shan Show”, to use her story of trauma and hardship to inspire and motivate others through emotive and moving conversations with people who come from all sides of adversity.
She was diagnosed with gram-negative bacterial sepsis – an infection that is resistant to antibiotics and other antibacterial interventions – and slipped into a coma for two weeks. Her husband, Anthony, was called in and told that her organs had started shutting down and that if she did not wake up within 24 hours, “that would be it”. The next day Shans white blood cell count started to climb, which meant that her body was finally responding to the medication. Once her body was strong enough and the infection cleared, the medical staff started to bring her out of the coma. On February 6, 2017, her legs were amputated, and her hands were amputated two days later.
“I came out of the coma with strength and positivity that can only come from above,” said Visser.
After all of this trauma and tragedy, Shan is still incredibly positive and believes that “can’t” isn’t a word.
In the short documentary, you can witness Shan’s emotional and moving story and how the South African lost her hands, legs, and half her face in a matter of days after contracting a rare bacterial infection. Almost overnight, the 34-year-old mother and businesswoman became a quadruple amputee.
And now the incredible South African has launched her own talk show!
The Shan Show was filmed by the same crew that has brought you Survivor SA, The Voice SA, and more incredible South African TV productions – Warren Bleksley and Greg Nefdt of Alfacam and Blade Studios.
The first episode of The Shan Show welcomes Costa Carastavrakis, a man who went from being addicted to crystal meth to a successful author, comedian, actor, and motivational speaker. Costa, an inspiration coming from a different perspective of adversity – drug addiction. A story no less motivating. The two share their stories and perspectives in this charming yet impactful first episode of The Shan Show.
Season one of The Shan Show will consist of the following guests:
- Shannon Martins, an incredible swimmer who last her leg at 2 years old;
- Megan Hunter who is not only a survivor of the Rare Disease Myasthenia Gravis but also an ambassador for Rare Disease SA;
- Doug Anderson, a “Radio Man” who himself has suffered many scars from 49 surgeries due to Spina Bifida and started his own campaign “Me and My Scars”;
- Zola Brunner, a media queen who kicks Lupus’ butt every day;
- Natalie Nicholson, a fighter of the wounds you can’t see on the outside – mental health;
- Author Costa Carastavrakis, who went from Meth to Marathons.
22 April 2021, The Copperlake Bar and Grill in Broadacres kindly hosted the exclusive screening of Shan’s short documentary and episode 1, where loved ones accompanied shan, family, supporters, the crew, her TV show guests and media.
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