“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” ~ Proverbs 4:23
My maternal grandmother lived with diabetes long before I understood what the term really meant. She pushed through days when her body was tired, but her heart never wavered. I recall one day when my mother and I went to pick my grandmother up from dialysis, she was slumped over in her chair as I approached her. Fearing the worst, I screamed. Nurses came rushing, and my grandmother thankfully woke up, but had experienced a fainting episode. Once the doctors assessed her condition, it was determined dehydration caused the fainting. The doctor even stated, ……. her heart was strong!
See, my grandmother continued to be active in many ways, even with diabetes. She was heart strong until her last days. Diabetes challenged her health, but it never damaged her heart. In the midst of a condition that took so much from her, she still managed to protect her heart by maintaining many of her activites like gardening, and walking.
I must also recognize my mother, who during 1985 - 1991, taught aerobics to Black women at a community center in an all Black neighborhood. There weren't many Black women doing this in the 1980s. With an energetic spirit, my mother transformed the lives of many women and encouraged them to take control of their health through dance and movement. Dancing has proven to be a heart healthy cardio exercise.
Both my grandmother and mother have inspired me and their stories remind me to keep persisting. There are still some challenges, but I persist to be my best self. You can too!
I continue on my health journey to maintain a healthy heart by focusing on consistent, sustainable lifestyle habits. Black Girls RUN! catapulted me into my journey nine years ago and I have never looked back.
Many of us, carry invisible battles with courage. We desire better outcomes for ourselves and for those who do not have access to resources to help them work towards better outcomes.
I support the American Heart Association, and I'm sure my grandmother would too if she was still with us. Her journey showed me that even when the body struggles, a strong heart can still lead with courage!
Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women. The American Heart Association Go Red for Women movement's Woman of Impact campaign is working to change that. I am excited to be a part of ‘Team Heart Pace Queens’, along with some of my Sole Sisters, and Black Girls RUN! CEO, Jay Ell Alexander.
It's not just about wearing red. It's not just about sharing heart health facts. It's about all women connecting and committing to stand together against our greatest health threat.
Lead with your heart. To support our campaign, please click the Donate button and make a difference in someone's life!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!