Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaquana J. Smith.
Hi Shaquana, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
I am 34 years old. I am a wife, a mom, and a follower of Christ Jesus. I became a natural mother when my daughter was born in December 2021. It was a very challenging pregnancy and labor before I gave birth to her. I dealt with piriformis syndrome and sciatica nerve pain during pregnancy and underwent physical therapy. During labor, I had severe contractions. After a non-reassuring heart rate, I was rushed for an emergency C-section in the operating room. My baby was breached, and the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. I gave birth, and my baby’s vitals were stable. I, however, hemorrhaged. My uterus would not stop contracting, and after multiple blood transfusions due to blood loss, I had to have a hysterectomy. I dealt with pneumonia and acute respiratory failure, which required me to be on a ventilator in Intensive Care Unit for 2 days, separated from my baby. My skin-to-skin bonding with my baby was limited to 1 hour on day 1 and only 30 minutes on day 2. I reunited with my baby on day 3 and went home on day 5. The hospital doctors, nurses, and staff did everything they could to keep me alive. I was told that there was nothing I could’ve done to prevent everything that happened. What I experienced (with my blood unable to clot) was rare. But God prepared me for this. Sometime in Spring/early Summer, God showed me a vision of myself in an operating room, which looked like a bloody massacre. I’m glad I paid attention to my dreams and prayed through them. God was and will always be with me.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. I had a miscarriage the year before my last pregnancy. Because of COVID, I had to deal with that at the doctor’s office alone. At that time, extra visitors were not allowed to enter the building. During my pregnancy, dealing with piriformis syndrome and sciatica nerve pain, my legs would “give out” on me a couple of times while working from home. After the birth of my daughter and being placed on a ventilator, I had to learn how to breathe on my own again.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am employed with Charles Schwab & Co. and serve as Executive Pastor at HopeNation Church in Austin, TX, alongside my husband, Lead Pastor Kenny Wayne Smith. I am most proud of being able to share my many testimonies showing others that I am a walking miracle and that God does perform miracles. What sets me apart is I lead with transparency. Transparency is key! At my church, I oversee the Women’s Ministry, but I also have reached other women outside the 4 walls of the church in different settings, including social media. Transparency through wisdom is the only way we can help one another.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The biggest lesson learned is “Shut Up and Pray.” There is strength in a women’s silence. I come from many generations of women who excel in the language of sarcasm. I used to be quick to hit below the belt. I had to spend much alone time with God to change my perverse language into wholesomeness. When I want to respond out of my flesh, I have to check myself and go away to pray.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/shaquana.speaks?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShaquanaSpeaks
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaquana-j-smith-45b14a37
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@shaquanaspeaks
- Other: https://instagram.com/oh_sweet.joi?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
