My Story

I didn’t choose this work — this work chose me.
My journey into advocacy began long before Thee Heavy Wait Wellness Collective had a name. It started in dialysis chairs, hospital rooms, and quiet moments where I had to make sense of a system that wasn’t built with people like me in mind.

I spent nearly a decade on dialysis before receiving my transplant. During that time, I learned how overwhelming the kidney journey can be — the medical language, the appointments, the lifestyle changes, the fear, the waiting. But I also learned something else: patients are experts in their own bodies, even when the healthcare system doesn’t always treat us that way.

As a Black woman navigating chronic kidney disease, I saw firsthand how cultural barriers, weight bias, and systemic inequities shape the care we receive. I knew something had to change. And I knew I wasn’t the only one who felt unheard, misunderstood, or left to figure things out alone.

Thee Heavy Wait was born from that truth.
From the desire to make sure no one else has to navigate this journey without clarity, support, or culturally grounded guidance. From the belief that advocacy is not just about information — it’s about dignity, representation, and community.

Today, I use my lived experience to help others understand their diagnosis, prepare for appointments, ask informed questions, and feel empowered in their care. My work is rooted in compassion, cultural awareness, and the belief that every patient deserves to feel seen and supported.

This is more than my story. It’s my purpose.
And I’m honored to walk alongside you as you navigate your own.