Ryan Mac Sanders was born August 10, 1992 to Catherine and Steven Sanders.

Catherine is the Director and Founder of Shaken Baby Prevention, Inc. She is a native of Northern Virginia. She graduated from Falls Church High School, attended Bethany College in Bethany WVA and then transferred to and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Maryland.

Catherine went on to work for the London Daily Express, Gannett News Service and then MCI Telecommunications where she remained for 19 years. Catherine is married to Steven Sanders who was born in Norman, Oklahoma and is President of SGS Builders, Inc. Ryan’s life and the life of his parents changed forever October 9, 1992, when Ryan was shaken by his home based childcare provider, Eleanor Kay Hinegardner of Lake Ridge, Virginia.

Ryan enjoys socialization, soccer and t-ball for special needs children along with therapeutic horseback riding. Ryan loves balls and all types of music, especially when that is shared with his Dad. He enjoys being read to and also enjoys his “tubby time”. Ryan receives physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, myofascial therapy, botox and phenol treatments for spastic muscles and sees more doctors in a year than most of us will see in our lifetime. Ryan has experienced two surgeries.

Eleanor Kay Hinegardner, was convicted in May 1993, served 18 months in jail and was released from parole September 2003. She now resides in Heritage Hunt, a retirement community in Gainesville, VA. While a jury of her peers sentenced her to 4 years in jail for felony child abuse, Ryan continues to serve his life sentence of disabilities that she inflicted upon him.

Shaken Baby Syndrome is 100% preventable and prevention lies in your hands. Please remember it’s never okay to shake a baby and SHAKING A BABY SHATTERS LIVES!