Empowerment Through Advocacy
Uncertain about advocating for yourself or loved ones in healthcare? Let me equip you with knowledge and skills to assert your rights, engage effectively with medical professionals, and navigate the complex system confidently. Extensive research highlights the impact of poor communication on patient-doctor dynamics. Despite no structured curriculum, patient preparedness is crucial. My advocacy services aim to nurture assertiveness and proactive involvement in decision-making, bridging patients and healthcare providers for better outcomes.
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SPEAKER, LUPUS ADVOCATE & EDUCATOR
Hello, I'm Shamekka!
My journey has been marked by adversity, starting from a young age when I began caring for family members with severe health conditions. Since I was 10 years old, I've been taking care of relatives, including my Nana who battled severe RA for the last 20 years of her life, and my mother who had Lupus. After they passed away, I continued to care for my Uncle who has HIV. On top of that, I became a teen mom at 16, so my whole life has revolved around caregiving.
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Despite facing my own health challenges, such as being diagnosed with Lupus at 30 and undergoing a kidney transplant in 2023, I am determined to inspire others. From experiencing a stroke to a hysterectomy and most recently a kidney transplant, these life experiences have fueled my advocacy efforts, even on a legislative level. I was honored with an award from the Sequoia Project in 2023 for my advocacy work and was invited by the National Director of Healthcare IT in Washington, DC to discuss patient access to medical records.
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Despite battling overlapping autoimmune diseases, I maintain a positive outlook, sharing my journey on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook under the handle @prettysickchick. My story serves as a beacon of hope for those facing similar struggles, reminding us all of the power of resilience and the importance of community support.