> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://achronicvoice.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # “It’s in My Blood”: Shannon Giroux — Making a Better Home to Live in, Despite Multiple Sclerosis - URL: https://achronicvoice.com/shannon-giroux-better-home-multiple-sclerosis/ - Published: 2017-10-14T07:58:06.000Z - Updated: 2026-04-10T16:07:27.000Z - Author: Sheryl Chan - Tags: People, Chronic Illness, Home & Lifestyle, Creativity ## Featuring Shannon Giroux of “MSnubutterflies” Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects the brain and spinal cord, and can cause permanent damage or deterioration of the nerves. Whilst Shannon lives with Multiple Sclerosis, her creativity and passion for life can be seen with all the personalised touches around her home! She goes from whipping up new recipes in the kitchen, to knitting an array of items for gifts or for pleasure. She's super hands on and is constantly working on new DIY projects, which helps to make her home a better place to live in for all, including the cat! On top of that, you can also find her getting her hands dirty in her beautiful garden. Let's check this passionate lady out 🙂 *\*Disclaimer: This article is meant for educational purposes, and is based on the author(s)' personal experiences as patient(s0\. All images provided by Shannon Giroux and included in this post are used with her permission. *I am not a doctor, and nothing in this article should be substituted for medical advice.* Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding *any* new treatment protocols. This post may also contain affiliate links. It will cost you nothing to click on them. I will get a small referral fee from purchases you make, which helps with the maintenance of this blog. Read our* [***Privacy Policy***](https://achronicvoice.com/privacy-policy/)*page for more information. Thank you!* Pin to Your Multiple Sclerosis & Chronic Illness Life Boards: ![“It’s in My Blood”: Shannon Giroux — Making a Better Home to Live in, Despite Multiple Sclerosis](https://cdn.achronicvoice.com/shannon-giroux-making-better-home-live-despite-multiple-sclerosis-its-in-my-blood.jpg) Read Related Posts: - [3 Reasons Why I Don't Let Multiple Sclerosis Prevent Me from Living a Normal Life](https://achronicvoice.com/dont-let-multiple-sclerosis-prevent-normal-life/) - [How to Maximise Accessibility & Improve Your Quality of Life at Home](https://achronicvoice.com/maximise-accessibility-home/) - [Best & Worst Part About Being Stuck at Home (From 32 People with Chronic Illness & Disability)](https://achronicvoice.com/stuck-at-home-with-chronic-illness-disability/) - [33 Things That Stop People with Chronic Illness From Leaving the House (Sans COVID-19)](https://achronicvoice.com/things-stop-people-chronic-illness-leaving-house/) - [Fun Things To Do While Recovering From Surgery: Hobbies, Crafts & Games](https://achronicvoice.com/fun-things-to-do-while-recovering-from-surgery/) [Want to be featured too? Click here to sign up!](https://achronicvoice.com/its-in-my-blood/) --- **Shannon Giroux Lives with the Following Chronic Illnesses**: - [Multiple Sclerosis](https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS) [Learn more about her experiences living with Multiple Sclerosis on her blog](http://www.msnubutterflies.wordpress.com/). --- ![Pallet garden and wall built by Shannon](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-pallet-garden-wall-2-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) Pallet garden and wall built by Shannon ![Pallet garden and wall built by Shannon](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-pallet-garden-wall-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) Pallet garden and wall built by Shannon ## What Shannon Giroux Finds Pleasurable About Gardening - **What about gardening do you enjoy?** There is so much to enjoy about gardening. I enjoy being outdoors, seeing wild life, and seeing my hard work come to life. - **How much does the weather where you live affect this hobby?** It has a tremendous affect on the garden. I live in the desert where it isn’t unusual to see temperatures of 117 (47°C!) during the summer months. We also have Monsoon storms during the summer where we get high winds, dust storms, and higher humidity than we are used to. - **What sort of things do you plant? Are they edible or purely for pleasure?** Both pleasure and edible. I plant flowers, herbs, and vegetables. I love having fresh herbs and peppers right out my backdoor for cooking. - **Favourite flowers and plants?** My favorite flower is hibiscus and my favorite plant is Basil. I love the smell of basil in the morning. ![A hibiscus flower in Shannon’s garden](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-garden-hibiscus-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) A hibiscus flower in Shannon’s garden ![Okra blossoms in Shannon’s garden](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-garden-okra-blossoms-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) Okra blossoms in Shannon’s garden - **An interesting fact about gardening that you discovered along the way?** There are way more bugs than I ever realized! No, in looking for a safe and economical way to get rid of weeds I found a homemade weed spray that actually works. 1 cup of epsom salt, 1 tsp. dish soap, 1 bottle of peroxide, and enough vinegar to fill a large sprayer about half full. Mix that together and fill the sprayer the rest of the way with water. - **How big is your garden?** I have 3 smaller beds, 1 large bed, and a vertical pallet garden that I built. The pallet garden doubles as a wall to block out some of the summer heat from the patio. - **Gardening tools you can’t live without?** Ok. This may sound crazy but I can’t live without a milk crate. I use it to carry things and to sit on when I pull weeds. ![Shannon’s yard: before.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-yard-before-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) Shannon’s yard: before ![Shannon’s yard: after.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-yard-after-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) Shannon’s yard: after - **Any tips for budding gardeners?** First figure out what you want from a garden. Do you just want a few flowers to enjoy or do you want edibles? Research what grows in your area and what the plant/plants needs are. Start small and add to it as you go. Most of all have fun with it. - **Is it possible to do some gardening in small apartments too? Any tips, if so?** Absolutely. Vertical gardens are a great way to add a little garden in small spaces. You can use a pallet like I did, a ladder, a hanging fabric shoe organizer, or stack pots of different sizes just to name a few ways. Read Related Posts: - [How to Use the 7 Dimensions of Wellness to Thrive with Chronic Pain](https://achronicvoice.com/dimensions-of-wellness-thrive-chronic-pain/) - [Invisible Cities Linkup: Pros & Cons of Living with Chronic Illness in Your City](https://achronicvoice.com/invisible-cities-linkup/) - [Vitamin D & Vitamin K2: How They Boost Each Other in the Body](https://achronicvoice.com/vitamin-d-vitamin-k2/) - [Invisible in Singapore: What’s It Like to Live Here with Chronic Illnesses?](https://achronicvoice.com/invisible-in-singapore-chronic-illnesses/) - [Flowers are the Most Beautiful When They’re Just About to Die (and What That’s Got to Do with Being a Spoonie)](https://achronicvoice.com/flowers-most-beautiful-die-spoonie/) ![DIY cat litter hideaway: before](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-diy-cat-litter-hideaway-before-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) DIY cat litter hideaway: before ![DIY cat litter hideaway: after](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-diy-cat-litter-hideaway-after-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) DIY cat litter hideaway: after ## More About Shannon Giroux’s DIY Projects - **What sort of stuff do you like to DIY?** I love all DIY projects but most of all turning old/used furniture into something new. Pallets, love pallets! - **Some of your creations that you’re most proud of?** I’m most proud of my faux marble table top because I tried something totally new and it turned out awesome. Also my kitty litter box hideaway cabinet, Dallas Cowboys checker table and Cowboys bottle. ![DIY faux marble table top](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-diy-faux-marble-tabletop-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) DIY faux marble table top ![DIY cat litter cabinet kitty door](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-diy-cat-litter-cabinet-kitty-door-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) DIY cat litter cabinet kitty door - **A funny ‘fail’ story?** Ha…ha. This was just a few months ago. I have two buckets in my garden that I arranged in such a way one looks like something should be pouring into the other. I had this great idea to use some glass stones I had to make it look like water. It looked great but I used the wrong glue and not long after being in the summer heat the stones came off. I still have no idea what I was thinking when I used that glue. - **Where do you get ideas from?** I get ideas from many places. Some from the specific functions needed, some from the furniture or item itself, things I see spark ideas, and wanting to make special things for loved ones. - **Would you like to share a ‘recipe’ for a nice DIY project that we can use for decorating or displaying in our homes?** I would love to share either one. Here’s my [pad thai recipe](https://msnubutterflies.wordpress.com/2017/06/28/pad-thai/), and my [DIY Cowboys checker table](https://msnubutterflies.wordpress.com/2016/10/06/diy-checker-board-table/). ![Painting the checker board top](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-painting-checker-board-top-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) Painting the checker board top ![Handmade Dallas Cowboys checker table](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-handmade-dallas-cowboys-checker-table-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) Handmade Dallas Cowboys checker table ## More About Shannon Giroux’s Passion for Cooking & Recipe Creation - **How did this wonderful adventure all begin?** It all began with wanting to help my mom cook for my dad. I was only 3 when my mom put a kitchen chair beside her at the stove and I helped make spaghetti for my dad. I have loved cooking since then. - **How do you go about creating a recipe ‘from scratch’? Do you have references or is it purely imagination?** It’s imagination for the most part. It started as needing to find ways to create affordable healthy new meals as a mom. There were times we didn’t have much and had to come up with something out of nothing basically. It became a challenge. Kind of a fun game. It expanded from there because I love to see what I can come up with. What flavors I can create. Eventually my eating habits changed. Although I have always eaten healthy for the most part I quit eating red meat and pork about 15 years ago and then no meat all together. That led me on another adventure to create vegetarian meals everyone would eat. - **Which of your own creations is the most popular?** That’s a hard one. I’ve made so many things over the years and I’m always making new things so this tends to change. I would have to say Curry Pasta Salad and my Turkey Meatballs. - **What about your personal favourite dish to cook?** My personal favorite is Pad Thai. It’s simple, fast, and delicious. - **Anything you dislike cooking?** There isn’t anything I dislike cooking. Unless you count chocolate cake. Or anything that has chocolate in it. Weird fact about me. I hate chocolate. Even the smell of it. - **Kitchen equipment you can’t live without?** A good set of knives. This is a must. All other gadgets I can live without. ![Fresh dill from Shannon’s garden](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-garden-fresh-dill-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) Fresh dill from Shannon’s garden ![Fresh radishes from Shannon’s garden.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-garden-radishes-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) Radishes, too! - **Do you cook every day, or what’s your eating lifestyle like?** I cook most days but not every day these days due to fatigue and vertigo. My eating style is focused on being as fresh and healthy as possible. - **If you cook every day, how do you manage to do this? Any tips for those who want to attempt doing so?** I don’t cook every day but I still have a few tips for those that want to and have difficulties due to health. Keep it simple. Eliminate unnecessary steps from recipes when possible. For example if you can make it a one pot dish by all means do so. Less steps less fatigue. Not to mention less dishes! 🙂 Do what you can ahead of time. A little at a time throughout the day if possible. Like chopping vegetable for instance. - **Favourite food blogs, magazines or books that inspire you?** I love to watch cooking shows like The Pioneer Woman. She’s a country girl like me. 🙂 ![Slouchy beanie made by Shannon.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-handmade-slouchy-beanie-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) Handmade slouchy beanie ![Open work grey poncho made by Shannon.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-handmade-open-work-grey-poncho-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) Handmade open work grey poncho Read Related Posts: - [The Extra Costs of Living with a Chronic Illness or Disability (That the News Often Don’t Reflect)](https://achronicvoice.com/extra-costs-living-chronic-illness-disability/) - [The Causes & Dangers of Malabsorption & An Easy Way to Get Your Nutrients](https://achronicvoice.com/causes-dangers-malabsorption-get-nutrients/) - [Oral Spray Vitamins: A Quick & Easy Way to Get Your Nutrients with Chronic Illness](https://achronicvoice.com/oral-spray-vitamins/) - [Useful Home Resources I Never Knew Existed (and Learned About from Other Chronic Illness Blogs)](https://achronicvoice.com/chronic-illness-home-resources-learned-other-blogs/) - [Tips & Tools to Help Regain Independence with a Disability or Chronic Illness](https://achronicvoice.com/regain-independence-disability-chronic-illness/) ## Shannon Giroux’s Passion for Knitting & Some of Her Handmade Creations - **How did this all begin?** My grandmother used to make us the coziest slippers when I was a kid. I miss those. So I thought why not learn. - **What sort of stuff do you knit?** Hats, slippers, ponchos, mostly smaller projects but I am making a chevron stripe lap throw right now. ![Handmade blue chevron throw blanket made by Shannon.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-handmade-zigzag-pattern-throw-blanket-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) Handmade blue chevron throw blanket - **What are your most popular requests?** Slippers and beanies. ![Shannon Giroux’s most popular request for handmade knitwear - slippers and beanies.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-knitted-home-slippers-shoes-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) Shannon’s most popular requests - slippers and beanies. - **How do you feel when you’re in the process of knitting something?** Knitting allows me to have something quiet and relaxing to do on days my mobility is limited. I feel calm and peaceful. - **How long do you take to finish knitting something on average?** 2 to 3 days. - **What inspires you to knit?** Making things for family and trying new stitches. I get ideas from Pinterest and knitting blogs as well. ![Shannon’s manicured yard](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-manicured-yard-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) Shannon’s manicured yard [Want to be featured too? Click here to sign up!](https://achronicvoice.com/its-in-my-blood-people-illnesses-talents/) ## Sign Up for My Free Newsletter Be the first to get the latest post updates in your inbox, and unlock the comments section. You will also receive an e-book full of uplifting messages, quotes and illustrations as a token of appreciation! [Browse more membership plans here](#/portal/), or [make a one-off donation](https://ghost.achronicvoice.com/#/portal/support) instead. Sign Up Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Pin to Your Multiple Sclerosis & Chronic Illness Life Boards: ![Pottering Around The Home With Multiple Sclerosis - Take a peek at Shannon Giroux’s gardening, knitting, cooking and DIY projects!](https://cdn.achronicvoice.com/pottering-around-home-with-multiple-sclerosis-shannon-giroux.png) **Contributor Bio:** ![Shannon Giroux headshot](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fe/94/fe943d06-f105-4c71-af52-25403dcbb0b8/content/images/2025/08/shannon-giroux-profile-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg) I am a country girl at heart living with MS and sharing my journey of finding the laughter through the struggles. I raise awareness through my blog and as captain of Beautiful Butterflies WalkMS team. Cooking and creating recipes is my passion. I find so much inspiration through gardening and cooking. I love it! Find her here: [blog](https://msnubutterflies.wordpress.com/), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MSnubutterflies/), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/beautifu75) & [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/shannonfreeagai/). ### Comments Archives: Comments imported from previous WordPress site. - Anindya Rakshit Nov 9, 2018 Loved reading about this wonderful feature post. Shannon is truly living her dream by turning her creativity into reality…:) - [ Bree ](https://3sistersabroad.wordpress.com) Dec 24, 2017 I loved reading and seeing your creativity. I have never been able to knit or sew or crotchet. Tried many times. ahaha…. the fights with my mother and my sister. Oh dear. So its always nice to see the handiwork of others. - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Dec 24, 2017 It certainly requires a lot of patience, that! - Emma England Oct 28, 2017 Wow, I loved reading about all your wonderful creations and seeing your beautiful pics. I especially love the photos of your garden. It looks amazing! In fact they’re all great! You’re so talented and I wish I was as “handy” as you are! Great read, thank you ? - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Oct 29, 2017 Haha I wish I were as ‘handy’ as Shannon, too! I’m not the most patient or talented handywoman around 😉 Wish I had a garden though! P.s. You’re welcome to participate in the series if you’re interested too, it has no deadline 🙂 - [ Caz ](https://invisiblyme.com/) Oct 15, 2017 The garden & seat in the last photo looks so serene, you have some wonderful creativity and talents when it comes to DIY and craftiness (faux marble table is fab!). The hat looks just like my favourite winter one, but I could never have knitted it myself; tried a cardigan once, and it went so horribly wrong that it’s safer for me to stay away from knitting needles! Not sure how I wasn’t subscribed here before as I have your blog bookmarked so I’ve just signed up again now for email updates, hopefully that works 🙂 Have a lovely Sunday x - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Oct 16, 2017 Hi Caz, Thank you for dropping by again, great to have you back 🙂 Yes Shannon’s creativity repertoire is wonderful, and I too, envy those who are so good with their hands 😉 **Start a new conversation in the Member Comments below!**