Shonda Schilling

Shonda Schilling is a New York Times best selling author, the mother of an Asperger’s Syndrome Child and wife of retired Boston Red Sox All-Star Curt Schilling.

Her book, "The Best Kind of Different" describes the story of her son Grant’s struggle with Asperger’s Syndrome and the heartbreaking and ultimately blissful journey she and her husband took to understanding this often misunderstood syndrome.

Schilling spends much time and energy speaking publicly about Asperger’s Syndrome and generating awareness for children with Autism spectrum disorders. She works closely with the Aspergers Association of New England and the YouthCare organizations and has been a comfort to other families with Asperger children, letting them know they are not alone.

Schilling is also a cancer survivor. Her public battle with malignant melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, has been featured in a number of publications and televisions shows. Schilling invited Good Morning America and the nation into the operating room to witness her fifth and final surgery, hoping her sun-safety message might inspire others to alter their sun habits.

In 2002, Schilling created The Shade Foundation of America, an organization dedicated to eradicating melanoma through the education of children and the community in the prevention and detection of skin cancer and the promotion of sun safety. The foundation partnered with the Environmental Protection Agency to create SunWise, a program designed to help teachers raise sun safety awareness to children in grades Kindergarten through eight.

Schilling and her husband Curt also work with the ALS Association to help find a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Since 1992, they have donated and raised over $10 million dollars for the association.

She graduated form Towson State College majoring in journalism. She worked in television production for Home Team Sports in Baltimore.