Meet Nakia, she is a 33-year-old woman who loves spending time with her seven nephews and one beautiful niece. She loves eating, shopping, and watching movies. In high school, Nakia was active with cheerleading and volleyball. In 2007 Nakia was involved in a motor vehicle accident that broke her neck, bones in the left side of her face cracked her skull, and a ruptured her spleen. The doctors didn't think she would make it through the night, and she was in a coma for a month. Nakia woke up with a T4 spinal cord injury.
Nakia has always been a hard worker, which didn't change after she sustained her spinal cord injury. Nakia started her own jewelry business that she manages through social media. Babysitting her nieces and nephew also keeps Nakia busy and happy. Nakia helps her sister with her catering businesses and is always on the move. “None of these activities would be possible without my wheelchair. My wheelchair gives me independence and puts me in control of where I go and what I do”, said Nakia.
Nakia has been a Numotion Customer since 2008. "The team that I work with at Numotion is Jadi Hartman, CCC, and Chris Johnson, ATP, and they are amazing," said Nakia. “One day, my wheelchair broke, and I was unable to go anywhere. The next day Chris rescued me by coming to my house on his day off to repair my chair. Chris is truly a blessing to me."
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Nakia has kept her routine as close to normal as possible. She is cleaning more often and faithfully wears her mask to protect herself and others. "I still have a good time, but I am being a little more careful these days," said Nakia. She suggests others should wash their hands more often, clean everything they touch, and always wear a mask if they're leaving the house.
Nakia stated that she was in denial about her paralysis for almost 13 years, and once she embraced her situation, she was relieved. Her suggestion for other people learning to live with a new disability is to keep the faith, be persistent, set goals, and accomplish them. Nakia’s call to action is, “Stay determined, never give up and love yourself always.”