Shatonia’s Journey

Today we have a special feature. A naturalista with a testimony. She hails from the Island of Grenada but is currently in Maryland with family. This is her second big chop. The first was in 2010 and the second in 2011. She enjoys a variety of natural hairstyles but until she reaches her desired length she likes to hold it back in a ponytail.

Apart from her Naturalista trait, Shatonia has a story to share with the world. Her aim is to get her message across to as many as possible to help others in her situation. It goes like this;

“Showing you where I was to where I came. I was hit by a van when I was 6 years old and almost lost my leg, at first I spent a year and half in the hospital, I had dressings everyday, surgeries every Friday and painful nights and days. I’m sure 95 percent of you don’t know this because I’ve probably never shared this with anyone. People have seen and questioned and questioned and questioned and I eventually got fed up so I avoided confrontations – I just wore clothes that covered my leg. I couldn’t in school because we had a uniform and of course I was bullied by some and called names, especially in primary school – Sometimes I was even excluded because of my leg, which is so stupid because accidents happen, scars shouldn’t define a person. My scars are my proof of my strength. Many years later I have evolved, I have evolved into self love and acceptance, I wear what I want and I am happy with myself – truly. I have always risen above my circumstances and my leg has never stopped me from pursing my dreams, it may have slowed me down but never took my hope away. You don’t know what I’ve been through but I have been and continue to be loved for being me, so when you see me smile don’t be quick to judge just be happy for me because I’m definitely happy for you. #iammorethan my leg and #iammorethan what people chose to see.”

She has been featured on the huffington post, you can read along there as well to get a better understanding of what took place during her accident; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shantonia-wayne/iammorethan-my-scars_b_8089396.html