Shamenka Andrews

Shamenka Andrews

Albany, New York, USA born and raised
43 years old

Who are you in the world?

I am a Disability Advocate, an awareness trainer, writer and speaker. I impact the lives of those living with a disability. I have lived experience as a full time wheelchair user and I was diagnosed with Spina Bifada due to me having an incomplete spinal column that means I have limited use of my legs.

I have written two books and I am now working on my third. These are children’s books, and I plan to later work on adults books. I have also developed advocacy and empowerment programs for women who use wheelchairs. I advocate in the community to make a difference in New York through disability awareness and increasing accessibility.

What is the story that you would like rewritten for women?

Women living with a disability are often seen as being less than a woman, however we are the same. We are whole. We are whole on crutches, with an amputation, or a wheelchair. We are no less than.

Living with a disability doesn’t mean that we can’t live vibrant full lives both inside the home and in the community. We can have the life of our dreams and whatever we desire. We may get there differently and things may need to be adapted, but we can get there.

We do not have to live our lives based on how others believe we should live. We can find our own desires, claim these and find a way to live according to this.

What is the next story you want to write for yourself?

MULTIMILLIONAIRE! I want to write the story where women living with a disability don’t have to live in poverty or with scraps. I want to be bicoastal and have houses on both the East and West coast of the USA. I want to travel the world and hear people’s stories and live life on my terms.