Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Samuels.
Hi Monique, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have Lymphedema in both legs since I was 12 years old. Lymphedema causes swelling in the affected body part due to issues with the lymphatic system. After years of neglecting my legs, they became huge and misshaped. So when I decided to get control over my health and my life, I found surgery to be the best route for me. To get my legs to be more normally shaped, I had over 8 surgeries specifically for my legs. I went through a type of reconstructive surgery called de-bulking. The surgeons would spend up to 12 hours each surgery cutting out chunks of fibrous tissue and skin that had developed and stretched over the years. It’s been a challenging journey to health and self-acceptance. So I share my story with others in hopes to prevent someone from giving up on themselves no matter their journey and to advocate for Lymphedema patients, especially black women who are always ignored and pushed aside when it comes to healthcare.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
No, there have been many struggles. Battling myself to do what is best for my health, worrying about the cost of seeking medical treatments, and finally fighting insurance companies to cover my medically necessary therapies and garments. These are some generalized challenges. Lymphedema patients like myself struggle with wearing our compression garments. They are daily requirements to help prevent too much swelling while up and about. These garments can cause pain when they slip into the different crevasses of the affected body part. It acts as a deterrent to really wanting to wear them. Then there are other things like the inability to wear certain clothing or shoes. The stares from people in public. These can wear on one’s confidence and desire to be social. And finally, the other illnesses that can arise due to lymphedema. For years I struggled with cellulitis. This caused me to be hospitalized serval times. It is painful and debilitating, no matter the severity.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Outside of my advocacy, I am a corporate trainer for a major tech company. I train their new hires and existing employees. I truly love what I do. I can see the impact daily on the lives of the employees and the shift in thought on themselves and their role within the company. I also attained my Master’s in Information Systems Management. I plan on shifting my career in that direction. In addition, I am the owner of ChronicallyMoni which is my Brand that I use to advocate via social media and speaking engagements. I have appeared on podcasts and conferences to speak on the impact of having a chronic disorder and how I continue to strive to be the best me. I also have a YouTube channel where I share my story on life with lymphedema. I took a brief break from everything to finish my master’s program, so I’m gearing up to put my energy back into it.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
If you are looking to be an advocate for anything or any cause, I would say just start. It does not require a large following, just each step in the direction you want to go. and something will work and some things will. I look at it as failing forward, there is a lesson in everything
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/chronicallymoni?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/MoniqueSamuels1
Image Credits
Jordanviision, Tahir Coleman
