I-75 crash victim's parents create foundation in her honor | FOX 2 Detroit

I-75 crash victim's parents create foundation in her honor

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A horrific car crash killed two young women dead and a dozen others injured.

Now the parents of one of victim Shelby Seyburn are setting up a foundation to keep their daughter's memory alive.

"That was the worst time of my life," said Alisa Seyburn, "and will continue to be."

It was a chain-reaction crash on I-75 taking the lives of Shelby Seyburn, 22, of Commerce and her best friend 23-year-old Sydney Zaleski.

The horrific crash forever changed the lives of Alisa and Mark Seyburn and countless others.

"So many lives have been affected by this," Alisa said. "Not only was this a tragedy for one family, it was a tragedy for two families."

Five months later Shelby's parents are still call that moment surreal but, gain strength daily through their faith, family and friends - as well as Shelby.

"She just loved life," Alisa said.

Shelby graduated from Oakland University with honors publishing work and speaking at conferences such as the American Psychological Associaiton. Shelby was passionate about her work, ironically, researching post-traumatic growth syndrome.
 
"Shelby had her own theories on resilience people deal with trauma," Mark Seyburn said.

"You have to find a purpose and continue on," Alisa said. "And you have to continue on for the one that you lost."

Her parents' purpose has now become the Shelby Jane Seyburn Foundation.
 
"It will allow students to attend conferences," Alisa said. "It will also fund something called the Teen Parent Project in Pontiac and Shelby had helped start that program."

Now, that purpose combined with Shelby's love for working out, a plan has been set to raise money for the foundation Friday, Nov. 3 at ZIFiT infrared studio in Birmingham. There will be four rooms  for boxing, cycling, yoga and Shelby's favorite: crossfit.

"Every class will run for 30 minutes and you can move from room to room," said Stacy O'Bryan, Shelby's godmother. "And have fun doing all of it."

"If infrared fitness isn't for you, come out and watch some others throw a few punches.

A donation of $25 gets you four 20-minute classes and a shirt to support Shelby's cause. All of the proceeds go to the foundation and if you can't make it out... every penny counts - CLICK HERE to donate.

"She will definitely live on not only in our hearts forever, but within her studies and research and her workouts."