Shamequa Parks-Graham

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August 8th, my birth month and day. Although it wasn’t supposed to happen until 10 weeks later, my entrance into the world 8-8 is so iconic of who I am; doubly. The number 8 biblically represents hope, new horizons and a bright future. That’s impeccably me times 2!

I am Shamequa Parks-Graham a Rock Hill high school senior who loves God, has unconditional love for my immediate family (mom, dad, 1 older brother and 4 younger sisters) as well as my extended family. I also love Marvel comics, singing, and have a passion for writing. Just to let you know, I make no excuses for who I am. God created me with a special mold. One that took a little time for me to grasp, accept and deploy. Yes, I got it now! I personally affirm daily through thoughts, words and deeds: I am strong – I am intelligent – I am confident – I am beautiful — My future is bright.

Birthed at 27 weeks, weighing merely 2 pounds 13 ounces I was identified as a premature birth. I spent the first 3 months of my life incubated in the hospital before going home. I was so tiny, my mom transported me home in doll baby clothing. At 6 months, my mother received daunting news concerning her little princess, I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy coupled with 60% chance of mental retardation and limited mobility. Cerebral Palsy affects a person's ability to move and maintain balance and posture.  Cerebral refers to the brain while Palsy refers to muscular weakness. My condition is categorized as spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. It affects my arms and legs making them stiff with functional problems that lead to contracture and cartilage degeneration. The chronic shortening and misalignment of muscles require surgical and non-surgical interventions to correct. Boy! I have had my share of days at Shriners Children’s Hospital recuperating from surgeries. 

Regardless of the doctor’s word, I have a praying mother! She proclaimed HEALING then and continues proclamation of greater works today. I continued to grow, I continued to defy the doctor’s report, I continued to go against the doctor’s probability boasting Gods surety. At the tender age of 5, I made big steps – I walked! I haven’t looked back. Yay God! Although I took steps, it wasn’t quite like everyone else. My steps attracted attention to me in a way I didn’t really like; it made me feel ashamed, uncomfortable, with low self-esteem. I began to ask “Why”. Why me? Why am I different? Why can’t I be like everyone else? Being a child with a disability is tough; children “and” adults can be insensitive. The stares, objections, snickers, name calling – handicapped, disabled, finger-pointing, avoidance — all because I walked different. I couldn’t skip, I couldn’t jump. I couldn’t run. Sigh. I walked, but not like everyone else. Sometimes I would become so angry comparing myself to “the norm”.

At the age of 12, I experienced extensive back pain. My mother never allowed me to be “handicapped” – did I mention my dislike for that word — I prefer different. She constantly reminded me that I could do anything. I may take a little longer or process things a little differently but I can do it. Therefore, I am not handicapped - no pity party in my household. During my time of despair regarding my back, my mom advised me to have a seat, gave me a notebook and pen with instructions to write my feelings; my thoughts. Unbeknownst, this was the beginning of my love for writing and my release from the world’s prognosis, free from spiritual bondage. Writing became my gateway, my freedom to appreciating me — loving me — defining my purpose and my destiny. I shared my initial writing with my mom, it was a poem. She was amazed! She saw God’s work in the midst. My dad, well let me introduce you to him, like my mom he has actual conversations with God - often. He let me in on a conversation, one that left me in awe. He prophetically deposited words of greatness informing me that I would write a book before the age of 16. Really! How did God know? This was only the beginning. I now write everyday. Yes, I am Shamequa Parks-Graham. I will become a household name. God affirms me — He made me. 

It’s amazing how God knows how to make us pump the brakes, slow down, divert our navigation. As young as 12 years of age, God knew His plans for me and ensured my path did not become distracted. He allowed me to have a humbling experience to reveal His gift within me. I continued to write, excelling academically and gaining independent mobility. The summer of 2018, my compilation of poems and letters was entered into a contest with hopes of being considered for a free book publication. I turned 16 that summer. Remember the convo my dad had with God? The announcement came in the fall. The winner is, Shamequa Parks-Graham. Yes God said it! I believed it! He confirmed it! I was thrilled. My first publication, The Diary of a Church Girl was published Spring 2019. It is sold in major outlets; Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, Wal-Mart to name a few. 

I was destined to conquer the odds. I was given a 40% chance of normalcy, God compounded that to be 100. My birth weight, 213, is another scientific analogy of greatness. Scientifically, this number in degrees is beyond the boiling point, once water boils at 212 anything beyond that produces enough steam to move a locomotive. That’s me! 213, beyond the boiling point, moving obstacles conquering the inevitable. My confidence is off the scale. My belief and trust in God is immeasurable. I am senior editor of my high school’s newspaper and aspire to attend college after high school majoring in psychology. My goal is to help others unapologetically accept their mold as God designed them to be. I will use my testimony of triumph to compel and encourage others to be their best. 

I now understand, I’m not perfect, I am progress. I will mess up, but I can always try again. I choose to be happy, accepting me for who I am; no comparison. That’s my message, my mantra – Choose to be Happy, Accept You for who You Are. 

Yes, I am Shamequa Parks-Graham. I will become a household name. God affirms me — He made me.