After A Near-Fatal Misdiagnosis, This Black Woman Is Fighting For Better Healthcare For Us All [Exclusive] - Page 2

What did the recovery process look like for you after that stroke?

Recovery was a long road. I spent time in rehab, and it was frustrating because I was 41 and had never imagined being in such a vulnerable state. I had to relearn basic skills like walking and speaking. It was a humbling experience, and it forced me to reflect on my own health and my role in caring for my family.

What would you say about the medical system’s response to your symptoms? What do you wish they had done differently?

One key takeaway from my experience is how often women, especially women of color, are overlooked in healthcare. There were warning signs—diabetes, high blood pressure, and even back pain that went ignored. I went to the ER for back pain, thinking it was just that, but it was actually a red flag. I never received the right diagnostic tests, like an EKG, that could’ve caught the heart issues earlier. It’s crucial to demand tests and never ignore symptoms, especially when we know our family history. For me, my mother’s diabetes and my father’s blindness should have been red flags.

Your sister’s advocacy played a pivotal role in your survival. Can you speak on the importance of having an advocate, especially in healthcare?

Advocacy is everything. Once you’re ill, your family suffers too. Having someone who understands and pushes for your well-being is crucial. Women often bear the responsibility for their families, and we forget to prioritize ourselves. My sister didn’t let the doctors dismiss me. She made sure I stayed in the hospital and got the right care. If you don’t have someone who can be that advocate for you, then it’s vital to find a support system that can help. Your life depends on it.

After all of your struggles, you founded Heart Sistas. What does this organization mean to you, and what impact has it had?

Heart Sistas was born out of my own pain and my desire to make sure other women don’t face what I did. I started seeing the systemic issues around healthcare disparities and realized that heart disease and stroke are largely preventable. As women, especially in the Black community, we are often the caretakers, but we neglect our own health. Through Heart Sistas, I empower women to take control of their health, to speak up for themselves, and to be proactive. The organization has become a community for women to connect, learn, and break the cycle of neglect when it comes to our health.

You’ve been through so much—two heart attacks, a quadruple bypass, and now, you’re living with 10 stents. What keeps you going?

My “why” is simple: I want to live! I want to see my children graduate, get married, and live a long life. I’ve been through the worst, but I’m still here, and that’s a blessing. We need to place more value on our health and understand that, as women, we are not invincible. We have to show up for ourselves, especially in our community where health often takes a back seat to other responsibilities.

As a woman of strength and resilience, you continue to inspire others. You’re also involved in a documentary called The Making of a Heart Attack. What inspired you to share your story on camera?

This documentary is groundbreaking because it goes beyond the typical heart attack narrative. It dives deep into the emotional and physical toll of heart disease, showing how it affects people from all walks of life. I want to open up the conversation about heart disease, especially in women, and create awareness that this issue doesn’t discriminate. I hope that through this project, we can inspire people to get checked and take action before it’s too late.

When can people watch the documentary?

The documentary will air on June 14th on A&E at 1pm ET, check your local listings. I encourage everyone to tune in, not just watch, but to start conversations about heart disease and health disparities. This is a chance to educate ourselves and our communities.

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