August 6, 2025 • 53 mins
In today’s powerful episode, we sit down with Pamela Hawkins. avibrant Holistic Health Facilitator and the Founder of Grace To Overcome — as she shares her journey through the life-altering diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 2009. But this story doesn’t end in surrender. It begins in strength.
Pamela takes us inside the trauma, the faith, and the transformation that led her from paralysis to purpose. With over 20 years of experience in health, food safety, and chronic illness education, she now pours into youth and communities with one core message: you are valuable.
“True transformation begins not when we abandon our mission, but when we allow new understanding to refine our path.”
This conversation will inspire anyone facing physical, emotional, or spiritual battles, and remind you that even the hardest diagnoses can give birth to divine destiny.
🟣 Content Warning: This episode contains reflections on illness, trauma, and personal healing journeys. Please listen with care. 🎧 Listen on all major platforms 🌐 www.emergeandempowertv.com 📩 Contact Pamela at grace2overcome2030@gmail.com
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/emerge-empower-podcast-tv--6068978/support.
🎙 Emerge & Empower Podcast TV – Hosted by Dr. Linda Joseph
📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@EmergeandEmpowerTV
🌐 Website: www.emergeandempowertv.com
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/dr.lindajoseph
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drlindajoseph
📧 Guest inquiries & speaking requests: shemergenceinfo@gmail.com
⚠️Disclaimer: Viewer and listener discretion is advised. Content may include sensitive topics. Guest views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Dr. Linda Joseph, Shemergence, or Emerge & Empower Media.
Pamela takes us inside the trauma, the faith, and the transformation that led her from paralysis to purpose. With over 20 years of experience in health, food safety, and chronic illness education, she now pours into youth and communities with one core message: you are valuable.
“True transformation begins not when we abandon our mission, but when we allow new understanding to refine our path.”
This conversation will inspire anyone facing physical, emotional, or spiritual battles, and remind you that even the hardest diagnoses can give birth to divine destiny.
🟣 Content Warning: This episode contains reflections on illness, trauma, and personal healing journeys. Please listen with care. 🎧 Listen on all major platforms 🌐 www.emergeandempowertv.com 📩 Contact Pamela at grace2overcome2030@gmail.com
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/emerge-empower-podcast-tv--6068978/support.
🎙 Emerge & Empower Podcast TV – Hosted by Dr. Linda Joseph
📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@EmergeandEmpowerTV
🌐 Website: www.emergeandempowertv.com
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/dr.lindajoseph
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drlindajoseph
📧 Guest inquiries & speaking requests: shemergenceinfo@gmail.com
⚠️Disclaimer: Viewer and listener discretion is advised. Content may include sensitive topics. Guest views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Dr. Linda Joseph, Shemergence, or Emerge & Empower Media.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Emerge and Empower podcast TV, a platform where
resilience meets transformation. Here we amplify voices that have faced trials,
trauma and adversity, stories that inspire hope, healing and empowerment.
Every episode brings raw, unfiltered conversations with individuals who have
(00:21):
risen from hardship, embracing faith, strength and purpose. Join us
as we break the silence, uplift one another and emerge
stronger together. New episodes air Wednesdays at six pm English
and Saturdays at six pm, with select Saturdays in Creole
for our Haitian audience.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Hello and welcome.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
Welcome back to Emerge and Empower where we are here
every week every Wednesday at six pm bringing new episodes.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Now.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Emersion and Power Again is a platform for those who
have emerged from on our on their journey of healing
from traumatic experiences that they have encountered in their lifetime.
So today is no different from there all the other
times that we have connected here, and we are a voice.
We are a voice calling out to you for you
(01:20):
to come and heal for real. Wherever you are in
this part of life, We're asking you to listen. Just
come away from that, Come away from that pain. Don't
stay in that place that is so disabling, that is
so draining, where you're tired. All right, I want you
(01:40):
to be sick and tired of being tired and say,
you know what, Today is the day for me to
move on the front row seat of my life. I
want to be in control and I no longer letting
my past situate kitchens, or circumstances or people stop me
(02:01):
from living my best life. It must first start with
you renewing your mind and wanting this change. How bad
do you want it? How bad do you want to
live a happy life that you're not worried about what
is going to be said about you because you've gotten
in the front row seat and said, you know what,
(02:22):
enough is enough. I went through it. It was not
my fault, but I'm showing you that I am strong,
I am moving forward and this isn't just for me.
This is for my children, this is for my future generation.
And it stops here. It stops with me. Are you
(02:42):
that person today? But if you are, I applaud you congratulations.
Start by sharing and talking and fine someone who can
help you through the layers of your life. Stop existing
(03:05):
and start living today. All right, thank you so much.
I didn't say it before, but it's very clear here.
It says, doctor Lenjay. I am your hopes on today
for emergent and power. I'm passionate about your healing. I'm
passionate about your well being. I'm passionate because enough is enough.
(03:31):
We want to start living, enjoying life without worrying about
the things of the past that kept us caged in.
We want to be free. You might not be physically
in a prison, but you are mentally, spiritually, psychologically, you are,
and it has caused problems for you. Your health is
(03:52):
even affected by this. So let's heal for real. I
believe in you.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
I hear you. I know it can be done. I
know this.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
A lot of the things that you've experienced there common.
You're not the only one that has gone through this.
If you watch my podcast, you see women all around
the world.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
I'm men who.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
Have gone through what you've gone through. It's common. Don't
let it dream you suck you in. All right, take
this lifeline that I'm throwing at you and say, I
want to live, Doctor Lynjay.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Say that to yourself.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
I want to live, and I'm telling that to myself
every day when I get.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
Up, I want to live. I want to be happy.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
I want to be free and not waited with the
weights of life. I am so serious about you and
I love you with the love of God. Your best
is yet to come. Your breakthrough is coming. Shift your mind,
(05:03):
Shift your mind. We'll be right back with our guests
on today best seller soon to be New York Times bestseller.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
All right, introduce yourself.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Hi everyone.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
My name is doctor Linda Joseph and I'm a pastor, mentor,
life coach. And basically, this book's about my journey, and
this is a journey to healing. It starts from my
childhood to life and marriage into helping other people heal.
So my whole point of view is making you be
the better person that God.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Created you to me. All Right.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Welcome, Welcome, Welcome, Let us welcome, Let us welcome, Welcome, Welcome, Welcome.
Pamela Hawkins on today she is a part of as
She Emergent's Virtual Conference. And I am so excited for
this woman of God on today as she is on
the set with us today as she will be sharing
on emerging story. Welcome Pamela to emerge and empower.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
Well, thank you, doctor Linda, thank you for the invitation.
I'm honored to be here to just to share in
how we are with the grace to overcome. God is
there's no lack of failure in him. He loves us
so and through our through some of the most difficult
(06:26):
times we go through. It's all for a greater plan
and purpose and so often just to be a help
to others.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Indeed, indeed, indeed, and you are more than welcome here
on this set and many others as we welcome women
and men from every walk of life, because we all
have a story to tell, all right, and there are
many layers to each of our stories in our lives.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
But the thing about it, what I love is we.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Are giving back, you know, we're finding different platforms or
avenues or modalities to help individuals.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Hell for real.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
So we're going to dive right into your story. But
we're gonna start first of all with who is Pamela.
Take us through your childhood and your journey into adulthood.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
Well, I was a little energetic child, lots of energy, running, running, running, running, uh,
but military doughters, so we moved around a lot of
me all in the States. And I remember when we
when I was in Virginia. We we've born in New
(07:44):
Jersey and my last place in the military. And I say,
and now I was a runner, A runner. I love running.
I got my starting track running away from dogs. There
was some neighborhood boys that used to think it was
fun to seek their dogs on me. So there were
(08:04):
days I was running. To this day, dog anxiety. I
remember when I was running so fast, I had just
like help me try to hide up under a box.
And to this day, if I see dogs, that dog
anxiety from that part of childhood and being pushed in
(08:24):
a pool when I was a child. So there were
back from young years to different phases in my life.
You know, being trapped in a house fire when I
was a teen and had to be rescued through this
small window. And I kind of had me. I had
a loving parents, sisters and brothers. But when my dad,
(08:49):
I remember he was in the military. I was told
this story and he was missing in action, and and
they came to tell them that he was missing, and
my mom had this breakdown and I just was told
his story and then it was really bad. So we
(09:09):
all had to be split up and and that I
remember as an adult, I said, you know, she didn't
know where certain things were and it was just really hard.
So but I used to hear that story all the time.
And then as I got older, there were certain things
(09:31):
that happened, you know, being an athlete, being an excellent condition. Ah,
I had gotten diagnosed with a kissing Bell's palsy. And
I thought, in the world and that as a top
athlete some of the best conditions, I thought, what is this?
And I am not a candidate so and and I
(09:53):
felt like something laid dormant in me. And and later
in life life I was on this journey of I
love puzzles, you know, putting them puzzles together, those different jagged,
broken pieces that come together to make this beautiful picture.
And and it was like I was on this journey
(10:15):
or this this putting this puzzle together to say something.
There was a disconnect and and always loving health and
wellness and and and loving the Lord of you know,
I uh, I from a small child, I just knew
God wanted us spiritually and physically well. And I always
(10:36):
wanted to really be in my best condition because of
this vessel that that that God. I was like if
he pressed me as a in a teener, if he
blessed me to wake up free breath. I wanted to
be my best, my strongest for the lost. So I
was always very purposeful with my wellness. But as I
(10:58):
continue through life, there were there were times where just
strange illnesses that just didn't make sense. And ultimately, you know,
because I think too often we received diagnosis and we
just simply accept it right, questioning, even without understanding or
(11:20):
sometimes without even giving belief that we have the right
to know why, right, especially in America. You know, around
the world, there's millions of suffering daily with chronic pain
and diseases. But but there's hope. And I always said, Lord,
there's you know, no lack and failure in you. And
and sometimes we'll have terrible things might happen and and
(11:46):
God will will heal And then Jimi's not. I often
think of like Johnny Erison todda who who had the
diving accident at eighteen and broke her neck and uh
and beauty a full soldier for the Lord. But God,
but what would the wheelchair ministry be about it? Times
(12:08):
when we go through this horrific, challenging time and God
heals for a purpose. And that is how I felt
when when I was diagnosed with multiple scrosses. You know,
literally my life changed overnight and within like two years,
(12:29):
I was paralyzed on both legs in my right arm.
But I was determined to reconnect that disconnect and it
took me. Multiple scrosses took me on a journey, and
I thought, even in the name multiple multiple scarrings, so
it took me back to my childhood, to a full circle.
(12:50):
And on that journey, doctor Linda God showed me. He
revealed to me the unseen bruising of affliction in the
com flicks that were in me, uh, that I wasn't
aware of. Uh. But it wasn't just for me. It
was for me to as again to ask someone that
(13:10):
studied in college science and research where I didn't want
to go to med school because I always wanted to
be on the prevented end, but because I was surrounded by,
you know, seeing different illnesses and diseases and conditions that
I just didn't didn't make, didn't quite understand, and often
and also been so much in our culture. We don't
(13:32):
go to the doctor, right And so so I said no,
I wanted to be on the prevented end of things.
So currently I lead. I founded a nonprofit, Grace to Overcome,
Love blooms here where we advocate well being and through
this journey of healing and restoration and finding my way
(13:53):
back to wholeness because there, uh it was I it
since the need that wellness needed an advocate, and others
needed hope they needed so our mission, Race to Overcome,
as we advocate well being is rooted in hope helping
others pursue excellence in wellness. As an act off, I
(14:16):
go bringing awareness of us because our work at the
root is getting to the healing. Yes, because the root
is where the healing begins, and exploring uh, the biology
the origins of diseases, especially through adversity and trauma. That's
(14:38):
I often say, It's not so much what's happening to us,
it's what's happening inside us biologically when things happen don't happen.
So Grace to Overcome we we we are focused on
holistic health prevention and advancing youth wellness because it all
(15:01):
goes back to so much of our challenges and struggles
are rooted in our childhood experiences. That follow us into adulthood.
So invested in affirming our youth with I see and
you value and who you are makes a difference. So
(15:22):
through Race Overcome. As a CEO and Chief Research officer,
we focus on root wellness, youth and adult empowerment and
parents lifted. Those overlap and are intertwined and areas that
children need especially through attachment, engagement and active play. And
(15:44):
through those three core initiatives, we're just vested being a
bridge helping others get across to where they want to be.
And we have a twenty thirty vision to be known
for transforming challenge lives, the wholeness and safety. So we
are on the front line literally on a movement, especially
(16:09):
through the average childhood experiences and some groundbreaking development and
research that's been I would hate to say suppressed, but
it's over forty years that how we truly are hardwired
to heal and with awareness there's hope for healing.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
Indeed.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
Indeed, so you've turned your life into purpose because of
uh your past traumatic experiences as you took us through it.
You took us through from childhood, then you took us
through even being trapped in a fire. You know, all
of these are different traumas that you went through. Now
(16:52):
you were a child, But can you explain to us
what being in any of these places says?
Speaker 2 (17:00):
What did this do to you as an adult?
Speaker 4 (17:04):
Well, when I think about as I said that there
was there were buffers where I'm thankful for the positives
that were in that that foundation, uh, because too often,
you know, just one positive adult in a child's lives
(17:25):
makes a difference. So I'm thankful I had by church,
by my intimate family. However, when I think back of
that that fire when I was when I was rescued
through that small window and there was a glass that
chunk a chunk out on my foot. It must have
(17:45):
been like a month later or so. I was just
sitting and someone said the word fire, and literally I
just took off. And until this day, there's some things
like you know, being in trapped in areas I just say,
like with the dog issue, still anxiety. But when I
(18:10):
think back of the different challenges, how what people did
as for like the childhood boys that saw that that
sick the dog on me and even other uh, from
adults to youth. I've always had a forgiving heart. I
mean I've always as a young Christian, I was like, Lord,
(18:34):
you know, there's no lack and failure if this came
to me, Why so it just gave all the difficulty
and adversity that I went through just gave me a
bigger desire to want to advocate in in health maintenance,
disease prevention, to help people, and even in my adult
(18:57):
it gave me a true compacts as for others, which
honestly was not actually in relationships did not serve me
well when I saw I think about you know, I
was married, and I'm thankful for my precious jewels, my
(19:20):
three children, but the knowing seeing the struggles, abuse, the
that my ex husband went through and you know, precious mother,
but that and and others, some of the challenges he
(19:41):
went through as an adult, seeing the need for just
someone to see what real love looks like. But hurt people,
hurt people, and in some of the most horrific experiences
in my life being transparent were in that relationship. Yeah,
(20:03):
and it's the beauty. I mean, I wouldn't take it
back for for me having my three precious children.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
Right, What you could do without that experience?
Speaker 4 (20:13):
Yes, But but then doctor did there was a time
or in my prayer closet because of some of the behavior,
I thought, what is this? I prayed, I said, Lord,
I don't know what this is. And I truly wanted
this understanding. And he he over above any degrees and certifications,
(20:36):
he said yes, and and information just really just was
it was revealed and I and I and I just
had still greater compassion, but definitely needed to exit the relationships.
And and that was part of me that always I
loved the institution of marriage value it thought it would
(20:59):
be good. I mean I was, I was a good wife,
but that it wasn't my story, but so over my
life it literally the adversity and the challenges this made
me stronger. And but when and and I guess part
(21:22):
of it I was holding in. I was maybe too
kind too, I say, too forgiving, But I was if
that saying says, don't don't.
Speaker 3 (21:37):
Sound like that was your that's song, like that was
your sense of coping, how you coped, how you got through.
So these were the things that you did as coping mechanisms.
Speaker 4 (21:49):
Yes, I I I mean I served people. I was
very active in my church. I didn't I didn't say no.
I I and to to my own detriment. I was,
you know, always working, and and one would say there's
twenty four hour. Actually, I remember driving around to myself,
(22:11):
I'm like, Pam, you know there's twenty four hours in
the day. You can't try to tram sixty hours. You know,
sleep deparation can kill you. I'm having this conversation with myself.
But yet still, sister, Pam, can you uh, yes, yes,
I was, and and and literally if I had laid
(22:37):
and it wasn't that I was this were if I
laid my head down, I probably would sleep for a week,
to the point I remember one time I was I
had It was like three days had passed and I
hadn't physically slept. I mean literally I had just changed
(22:59):
clothes and I was I wasn't even conscious of it.
And then I went to drive just across town and
I couldn't remember where I was going because at seventy
four hours, I'm thinking, hello, what are you doing? And
ultimately all of that came to a head, and I
remember how I was starting to really feel the facts
(23:24):
of not being able to say no. And honestly, I
didn't really think I was like a people pleaser. I
just if there was a need that needed to be met,
and and people weren't weren't doing it, especially if it
was a child evolved. If I could, if I could
help this person, the elderly person, and no one would
(23:47):
stepping to the plate. I just added it to my plate.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
So let's look, let's take a look at this. So basically,
you was in a relationship. Home wasn't a good place,
is right. So it seems like you're doing a lot
of avoid as, like keeping yourself busy, you know, so
you don't really deal with it as much on you
when you needed to. So helping others made you feel
(24:14):
better about yourself.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
What'd you say?
Speaker 4 (24:20):
Well, helping other people definitely always gave me joy. But
I was to the point where now, as for defending
myself off of foolishness and lies and like go to court,
I'm thinking, once I got to speak the clarity, I
was just so sick of my integrity being attacked and
(24:43):
then just some of the the this is horrific behavior.
But once I got out of that, and then I'm like, Okay,
you have these children to raise. There was financial there's
different levels of abuse and and and actually, and I
still don't like to talk about. But even though it happened,
I'm like, damn man, God said, you know, this is
(25:06):
your story.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
When it happened to you, it happened to you.
Speaker 4 (25:10):
So you can't be concerned about what some that they
might hear.
Speaker 3 (25:14):
Whatever it happened, right, this is your listen, this is
your story. And you are not here to apologize or
defend because you're here to tell your story. And your
story is what you went through, what hurt you, what
broke you. Right, because you are entitled, you are worthy
of love, you are worthy.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
You know of healing.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
All right, this is for you, and a lot of
times as adults, we are therefore our children. Well I'm
not walking away because my children need this.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
I'm here right here.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
But guess what, while you're hurting, your children were hurting too.
Speaker 4 (25:53):
Oh yes, and I see that. And it was like
the after effects and once even sitting that really that relationship,
there was the divorce shame that I didn't that that
I was. It was just when people would say and
I'm like divorced, it was like m h, I was
(26:14):
ashamed and and and and I didn't do anything. But
I'm like, you're you're taking that in and and and
just this. It was just a lot. Yeah, some of
the most horrific things. But then when I think back
(26:34):
of when how how God just was so faithful in
things too, with with others, loving, supportive individuals, and but
ultimately once MS hit and that journey, I said, because
nutrition and movement that was always in place. I was
(26:55):
always and I often say, uh, you know, good nutrition
and physical physical act activity when I'll give you a
get out of jail car for illness, accidents and disease,
But what a force field. But there was more of
having boundaries as a must. Uh, rest getting in and
the rest that you need is the some of the
rest I discovered I was missing. It wasn't just laying
(27:19):
my head down that that that social rest, I mean
the spiritual rest mean I was because I was in
that church and involved and loving that. But there were
different types of of lack that I was that I
was missing, and and then also being being feeling feeling
(27:42):
the hurt, feeling like literally saying it's okay you you
like I didn't. I had to give myself permission to
say this, this isn't this was this was bad. I
you know, I didn't deserve to be treated the way
(28:03):
I was treated and and it was like I did
not give myself that right to say and you didn't
do because too often a lot of times in marriages,
and especially in African American Oh, I mean, yes, it
(28:24):
does take two, well two if one stays or two.
But I know that I was doing everything, and I
know I was committed to doing everything in my power
to come together. I mean I would dig we could
(28:46):
to be that team. But recognizing that this person was,
you know, there was a severe brokenness there and and
narcissism is real, it is, and it is in this
terrific and I feel and I honestly I feel for
those people because they were created because of it.
Speaker 3 (29:09):
They were created because they came from an environment that
created that, and therefore they continue that in their relationship,
all right, because it takes two whole people to have
a healthy relationship. So if it's two broken people coming
together trying to have a healthy relationship, it won't work.
(29:33):
We both have to deal with our traumas, with our
problems so that when we come together, all right, we
can bring something healthy.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
But if one person is on the journey of their
healing and the other one isn't.
Speaker 4 (29:49):
Well.
Speaker 3 (29:49):
What that does is it slows down your very own
process of healing to a point. As women, you put
your life on a whole okay, to not only take
care of the home front, but to do everything else okay,
(30:10):
and it songs like that's exactly what you did, you know,
and you forget It's not about me. You took yourself out, okay,
and you not being healthy present and not healthy is
not good.
Speaker 4 (30:27):
Mm hmmm. No, I can truly say I I had
forgotten me, and but but my body said, but but
but my body didn't forget me, which the body will
tell in it when it says no, it's telling a story.
And and it truly didn't. And I even think about
(30:48):
with not just relations, even even work hurt. Uh. You know,
when there were things going on that just this this
that took to a head where my body just said
enough enough enough. But and I, but I definitely took
(31:12):
it back. And today I and when I when I
stuck back, and I had to stop and reflect and
realize that one I'm valuable, I am worthy. Uh. Then
there were there were often times where just didn't feel
(31:33):
worthy of being known. Well, it was no it wasn't that.
I mean, I felt I had people in my circle,
but in my intimate most personal relationships that I didn't
feel I wasn't worth no wing and and that was hurtful. Uh.
(31:54):
And but then there was a wise bishop that said
once he said you don't don't waste time.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
Hm.
Speaker 4 (32:00):
That they he didn't know me, but I just from
someone I followed, Uh, don't waste time with things that
don't matter and people that don't think you matter. If
you if you could be in the presence. And and
I'm that's why I'm so vested in a strong, safe
(32:23):
and equipped, affirming youth because that you are, that that
they know who you are makes a difference. I see,
and you value because we all want to feel valued. Uh.
If in it in in our most intimate close relationships,
(32:48):
I mean, if you're not at least value or worth knowing,
and the relationship isn't worth having. Uh So So today,
I mean truly for all of what I have been through,
and I definitely don't look like what I've been through right,
(33:10):
Thanks be to God, I take it. I would take
nothing back from the from the journey because I think
back of when I wasn't I was just I just
didn't understand a lot. I said, I don't understand one
of this disease that because I was so perfle as
a wellness. But it told the story and and I
(33:32):
think I shared some in the virtual conference when I
was at a wits end with this disease and such
pain and such such horror. And then God send a
little a little angel in the message by Brian Poppins
to sing that song for such a time as this.
I know it hurts, I know it's painful, but don't
(33:55):
you give up? And and it is too as I
look back act at our world and this we're facing
a rising global health crisis marked by chronic illness and emotional,
overwhelming and unprost trauma. You know, the traditional approaches are
(34:19):
not enough, and we must be you know, willing to
look through the lens holistically, but also at other evidence
space research that's out there to aid in our healing,
and also understanding that we we can't forget ourselves, you know,
when in self care isn't selfish, I mean, really, the
(34:44):
new health care needs to be true self care in
the and I call them my five foundations. We eat
hydrate one we we we we breathe, we move, we
we best, we feel are we doing these well? And
(35:05):
I desire to to take people on a journey of
discovery to see because you know, definitely food as medicine,
all those are great, and but our understanding when we
are at a stressful state, we might not know it,
but what's happening inside of us by physically but also
(35:26):
how we feel. Give people permission to feel to be
because if we don't actually feel, those feelings are still
happening on our on the Oregon level. And that was
some of the research that God revealed through other, uh
(35:48):
just pioneers of the movement of health and wellness. And
I'm excited about some of the initiatives that we're doing,
the race overcomes and really the that are rooted in hope.
I'm thankful for God, truly he doctor Lenther. He is
a restorer of all good things. And I think of
(36:12):
my foundation scriptures that I I that had three have
been for decades Romans eight and twenty eight, Jeremiah twenty
nine to eleven, and Songs one thirty eight and eight.
You know, all things the plans He has for me
for good, not to harm, and all things work together
(36:33):
for good to those that love God and I lo
love God I'm paraphrasing, and and that he's concerned about
what we're concerned about. So I told you, like from
an athlete, when I was running, you know, my Olympic
training got cut short some of those aspirations, but through
paralysis back on the track last this earlier this year,
(36:55):
I was like, gosh, Lord, I just feel so amazing.
And because my recovery from from the MS wasn't with
therapies and drugs, I said, do you want me to
run again? And you know, with like a week later,
you know what popped up on my phone. The USA
never in the United States, the USA World Masters Track
(37:21):
and Field Indoor Championship wasn't just never in the United States,
but right here in little Gainesville, Florida. I said, Lord,
if you didn't bring it right to my.
Speaker 2 (37:28):
Door, it right to you.
Speaker 4 (37:31):
And so soil people knew this Cinderella story of like
me being in this huge wheelchair and then driving my
adapted vand using my thumb and all these things and such.
Do you know her story? So it was just so.
Speaker 3 (37:47):
It's such a how long How long were you confined
to the wheelchair.
Speaker 4 (37:55):
Twenty eleven when I just started having a shift, then
to twenty and fourteen, where really it was God's healing hand.
I went to a service that was in my neighborhood
and horses and my memory sister of one of my
sisters church just paying you better go over there having
(38:18):
a healing service at it was at this particular church,
and I was like, I went, me and my son
and I thought okay, and we sat in the back
I was and literally it was a young man who
had was from the Islands, who had come back to
rural upstate New York. And then he was saying, okay,
(38:38):
if those that have any diseases or conditions that they
said on no cures for. And I'm sitting back there
and and and he said it again, and my son
he was a team He said, Momyn, that't you, because
you know sometimes sometimes we say we believe, but.
Speaker 3 (38:53):
I'm like, I got some doubt there, so he had
to reassure you that's you.
Speaker 4 (38:59):
So I said, okay, So I went down. I rolled
down and literally he was like he was talking to
other people and then he came down by me and
he was like, and I can't remember what exactly what
he said. But I said and he was like, well
stand up, I said, I I can't do that. And
and then literally he he went to you know, they
(39:22):
had some usherings helped me and it was really quite painful,
and I was and then he did something, he said something,
and and then literally the pain was gone.
Speaker 3 (39:34):
And well, first it didn't matter what he said. What
mattered was faith took you to roll yourself down, even
though in your head you wasn't sure what was expected
to happen. But the minute you left your seat, you
had to understand, all right, you was already and faith
(39:56):
was already in action. The minute you decided to go
to this event, faith was an action. You sat down.
Even though you are clueless or like you're not thinking
it's about me today, your son reassured you as to
why you came, because obviously you came with an expectation,
even though you might have had some doubts and some
(40:18):
thoughts or whatnot. But then faith still had you wheel
yourself down, okay to the altar at that time, okay
for you to receive and we hear it when Jesus says,
all the time your faith healed you, you understand the
woman with the issue of blood like you, She traveled
(40:39):
to where he was and said, today, if I could
only touch he you're taking me to church. Now, if
I could only touch the hem of his garment, I
will be well. So she knew in her head they
said there's a man that healed, I am going. And
she went with her belief. You understand, she traveled. Her
(41:02):
faith casts her to travel. She done tried everything else,
you understand me. And that's exactly what happened for you,
all right, So your ship, it.
Speaker 4 (41:12):
Sure did because then he said walk and and and
then I started putting one step another and then and
he told the usher person follower. And then because we
when we when we came in and the service and started.
So I was in the back. Before I knew it,
I had walked. And then people are like, my god,
(41:32):
sister Pam is walking, sister people from my and they
were taking pictures. And actually my still has that video.
I didn't know she had this. And so then the
next day at church. Uh, but but then they had
touched you know, when they've had these heel and they
take the whooks at my big electric wheelchair, and they
had touched my wheelchair and put it on the stage.
(41:54):
I said, excuse me, I have to drive with that.
Speaker 3 (42:00):
You forgotten you wasn't walking, you just saw that.
Speaker 4 (42:04):
I said that that goes into because I had have
a large adapted band that literally it wanted to driveway.
And so so the next day at church, I was
at at Sunday school in and I said, well, I
got a testimony and all I did was stand up.
So so it's a Sunday service.
Speaker 2 (42:27):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (42:28):
They said, oh, since the pam got a testimony and
I stood up. That was the word right there. That
was That was it. They were like, because there was
no doubt. Everyone knew my story. I mean so and
it was this guy's heal. But and then there were
challenges because I had to there was still I had
(42:48):
to continue getting out of my own way. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (42:50):
They were of rehabilitation and getting yourselves.
Speaker 4 (42:54):
Yeah, but I was determined, I said, Lord, I was
determined to reconnect that disconnect and I was gonna regain
my mobility and my legs and my arm and then
just holeness, healing and restoration, finding my way back to
wholeness health. And he did it, he said yeah, And
(43:17):
I said, Lord, being you together and whatever, I mean,
because I also said, I said, Lord, siting or standing,
I'm gonna walk out whatever purpose you have for me.
Right and then but then because I said, was now
my found even though those still three foundation scriptures, but
my one that I want everyone to know that when
(43:38):
we are, when we go through these struggles, that you know,
even the spiritual because Lord has given me be well
ministry because He desires us spiritually and physically well. But
you know that Isaiah fifty eight eleven and fifty eight,
the Lord will God you continuously ordering you are and
(44:01):
keeping you healthy too. You will be like a well
wordered garden, like an ever flowing spring. I just loved,
I mean, and it just says such a you know,
the lawd will God is continually certain things we don't
want to running continuously, And that's what was happening in
my mind. I had thought that we're running continuously. But
God stepped in and you know, warning us when we
(44:22):
are dry, we you know, saying this world will have trouble,
but be of good cheer. I've overcome the world and
so for that I at times to think me not
so strong, But I'm thankful that He chose me as
a vessel to be a bridge and a help and
(44:43):
a support for others and their healing, especially our precious babies.
You know, next to salvation personally, being a mother is
my second greatest accomplishment. And and I'm best then pouring
into as many as I encounter. And I'm like praying
(45:07):
and on my face for here in Gainesville. Teachers went
back today, but the babies they go back to school
next week. And Lord, I'm playing, please keep the enemy
at bay. You know, you know we we this the shootings,
(45:28):
that just the they just the the difficulties that our
youth have been enduring. But I'm just praying bad. You know,
schools be a safe place, right you know, yeah so
but so. But I'm so thankful for, like I said,
(45:48):
for being here, this opportunity to to just share their
one sister to another that's on the line. The help
love us.
Speaker 2 (45:57):
That's it. That's it.
Speaker 3 (45:59):
That's pretty much what it's about about, helping on empowering
others to know that even though you your biggest challenge
was MS multiple sclerosis, but God was still there.
Speaker 2 (46:15):
God is in your story, all right.
Speaker 3 (46:17):
He's in your story, and you came into healing and
you've turned your pain into purpose and you're pouring, you know,
into the ute, you know, because that's pressures to you,
because you're taking people also through what you went through
as a child, you know, the struggles by time as
a teenager. So I've gone through all of that and
yet death a blessing, you know, that is definitely a blessing.
(46:46):
So I want to thank you for being here on
Emergent and Power podcast today and everyone that was watching
that you can connect. All the information for Pamela will
be here in the bio, and we want to thank
you for your incredible story. And we know that you
will continue sharing your story with individuals and as you're
doing with the teenagers and your work in the community.
(47:10):
So we thank you for that. And you've turned your
life all right, You've given purpose all right. You're living
a purpose driven life and that is very commendable, right
and God will continue to be a part of your story,
for you have a powerful testimony one of miracles, literally
(47:32):
miracles all right, and miracles still happen in our time today.
So I want to thank you once again for connecting
with Emerging Empower. Everyone, thank you for watching on today,
and as we say every week, We're here to bring
you more stories of empowerment, more stories of emergence.
Speaker 2 (47:54):
All right, the scars in her case, it was the
multiple scars through multiple.
Speaker 3 (47:59):
Sclerosis, So she had to face all of those scars
not only psychologically but also physically, and she lives to
tell the story on today. So thank you so much
for being a part of emerge and empower And I
would like to close off in prayer for that person
(48:19):
who is watching us today who is not sure, confused,
don't know what's going to happen. You're literally also making
yourself sick because a lot of the things that we
don't share are actually weighing down on us physically and
also psychologically. So Pam lead us off in prayer as
(48:39):
we close out.
Speaker 2 (48:40):
Before you close.
Speaker 3 (48:41):
In prayer, is any last words you would like to
leave with a viewing audience.
Speaker 4 (48:47):
Well, well, I just want to encourage everyone that you're
stronger than you know, that your value, your love, and
just to remember how much if no one has told
(49:08):
you they love you, God loves you. God is there
for you. He's the greatest relationship you could ever have.
And there's grace to overcome and the difficult hard times
that if you're going through in life. Just be brave,
(49:30):
be confident, be you, and be good to yourself because
you deserve it. And as I pray a scripture that
comes to mind, dear friends, I pray that you may
enjoy good health and may you get well even as
(49:55):
your soul is getting along well. God desires us well.
Just having my father, we thank you for this great
day that you have made. We thank you for breath
of life that you have given. You did not have to,
but you did, so we are thankful and we're grateful
unto you. Lord, we trust you. And Lord, I pray
(50:22):
for all those that's under the sound of my voice
that they, if they don't know you, that they trust you, Lord,
and lean not to their own understanding in all their ways,
acknowledge you. Just to include you. And you said you not.
Maybe you shall direct our very steps. And Lord, I
(50:44):
thank you and you I know that to be true.
So Lord, on this this wonderful Monday that you have
given us life, I pray for everyone that's on the
sound of my voice that's going through any difficult, challenging struggle. Lord,
just meet them right where they are, give them to
(51:07):
lay their burdens at your feet and just be still
and know that you're in control and that you're in
their story. I pray that you meet any actual tangible needs.
(51:30):
And Lord, for those that are fairing to go back
to school, the youth, the teachers, the administrator's Lord, I
pray that Lord, that you just keep the enemy at bay.
Let the atmosphere be conducive to learning and thriving academically
and socially. Give the proper attachment, engagement and active playlists
(51:57):
needed for these babies, these jewels to thrive. And Lord,
I pray healing and restoration for all those that are
dealing with different challenging issues and problems. I pray for
those in textas that are still recovering from this horrific
(52:20):
floods and even around our world, the different challenges, adversities,
the violence. The Lord, just intervene. Calm the storm literally
or calm the storms and the individuals as you continue
(52:41):
to make the crooked places straight and Christ's sake, we
pray Amen.
Speaker 3 (52:46):
Amen, Amen, Thank you so much, Pamela, and thank you
everyone for being a part of the Emergent and Power
podcast on today. Until next time, Blessings to you all
and bye bye ah
Welcome to Emerge and Empower podcast TV, a platform where
resilience meets transformation. Here we amplify voices that have faced trials,
trauma and adversity, stories that inspire hope, healing and empowerment.
Every episode brings raw, unfiltered conversations with individuals who have
(00:21):
risen from hardship, embracing faith, strength and purpose. Join us
as we break the silence, uplift one another and emerge
stronger together. New episodes air Wednesdays at six pm English
and Saturdays at six pm, with select Saturdays in Creole
for our Haitian audience.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Hello and welcome.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
Welcome back to Emerge and Empower where we are here
every week every Wednesday at six pm bringing new episodes.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Now.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Emersion and Power Again is a platform for those who
have emerged from on our on their journey of healing
from traumatic experiences that they have encountered in their lifetime.
So today is no different from there all the other
times that we have connected here, and we are a voice.
We are a voice calling out to you for you
(01:20):
to come and heal for real. Wherever you are in
this part of life, We're asking you to listen. Just
come away from that, Come away from that pain. Don't
stay in that place that is so disabling, that is
so draining, where you're tired. All right, I want you
(01:40):
to be sick and tired of being tired and say,
you know what, Today is the day for me to
move on the front row seat of my life. I
want to be in control and I no longer letting
my past situate kitchens, or circumstances or people stop me
(02:01):
from living my best life. It must first start with
you renewing your mind and wanting this change. How bad
do you want it? How bad do you want to
live a happy life that you're not worried about what
is going to be said about you because you've gotten
in the front row seat and said, you know what,
(02:22):
enough is enough. I went through it. It was not
my fault, but I'm showing you that I am strong,
I am moving forward and this isn't just for me.
This is for my children, this is for my future generation.
And it stops here. It stops with me. Are you
(02:42):
that person today? But if you are, I applaud you congratulations.
Start by sharing and talking and fine someone who can
help you through the layers of your life. Stop existing
(03:05):
and start living today. All right, thank you so much.
I didn't say it before, but it's very clear here.
It says, doctor Lenjay. I am your hopes on today
for emergent and power. I'm passionate about your healing. I'm
passionate about your well being. I'm passionate because enough is enough.
(03:31):
We want to start living, enjoying life without worrying about
the things of the past that kept us caged in.
We want to be free. You might not be physically
in a prison, but you are mentally, spiritually, psychologically, you are,
and it has caused problems for you. Your health is
(03:52):
even affected by this. So let's heal for real. I
believe in you.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
I hear you. I know it can be done. I
know this.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
A lot of the things that you've experienced there common.
You're not the only one that has gone through this.
If you watch my podcast, you see women all around
the world.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
I'm men who.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
Have gone through what you've gone through. It's common. Don't
let it dream you suck you in. All right, take
this lifeline that I'm throwing at you and say, I
want to live, Doctor Lynjay.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Say that to yourself.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
I want to live, and I'm telling that to myself
every day when I get.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
Up, I want to live. I want to be happy.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
I want to be free and not waited with the
weights of life. I am so serious about you and
I love you with the love of God. Your best
is yet to come. Your breakthrough is coming. Shift your mind,
(05:03):
Shift your mind. We'll be right back with our guests
on today best seller soon to be New York Times bestseller.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
All right, introduce yourself.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Hi everyone.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
My name is doctor Linda Joseph and I'm a pastor, mentor,
life coach. And basically, this book's about my journey, and
this is a journey to healing. It starts from my
childhood to life and marriage into helping other people heal.
So my whole point of view is making you be
the better person that God.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Created you to me. All Right.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Welcome, Welcome, Welcome, Let us welcome, Let us welcome, Welcome, Welcome, Welcome.
Pamela Hawkins on today she is a part of as
She Emergent's Virtual Conference. And I am so excited for
this woman of God on today as she is on
the set with us today as she will be sharing
on emerging story. Welcome Pamela to emerge and empower.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
Well, thank you, doctor Linda, thank you for the invitation.
I'm honored to be here to just to share in
how we are with the grace to overcome. God is
there's no lack of failure in him. He loves us
so and through our through some of the most difficult
(06:26):
times we go through. It's all for a greater plan
and purpose and so often just to be a help
to others.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Indeed, indeed, indeed, and you are more than welcome here
on this set and many others as we welcome women
and men from every walk of life, because we all
have a story to tell, all right, and there are
many layers to each of our stories in our lives.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
But the thing about it, what I love is we.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Are giving back, you know, we're finding different platforms or
avenues or modalities to help individuals.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Hell for real.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
So we're going to dive right into your story. But
we're gonna start first of all with who is Pamela.
Take us through your childhood and your journey into adulthood.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
Well, I was a little energetic child, lots of energy, running, running, running, running, uh,
but military doughters, so we moved around a lot of
me all in the States. And I remember when we
when I was in Virginia. We we've born in New
(07:44):
Jersey and my last place in the military. And I say,
and now I was a runner, A runner. I love running.
I got my starting track running away from dogs. There
was some neighborhood boys that used to think it was
fun to seek their dogs on me. So there were
(08:04):
days I was running. To this day, dog anxiety. I
remember when I was running so fast, I had just
like help me try to hide up under a box.
And to this day, if I see dogs, that dog
anxiety from that part of childhood and being pushed in
(08:24):
a pool when I was a child. So there were
back from young years to different phases in my life.
You know, being trapped in a house fire when I
was a teen and had to be rescued through this
small window. And I kind of had me. I had
a loving parents, sisters and brothers. But when my dad,
(08:49):
I remember he was in the military. I was told
this story and he was missing in action, and and
they came to tell them that he was missing, and
my mom had this breakdown and I just was told
his story and then it was really bad. So we
(09:09):
all had to be split up and and that I
remember as an adult, I said, you know, she didn't
know where certain things were and it was just really hard.
So but I used to hear that story all the time.
And then as I got older, there were certain things
(09:31):
that happened, you know, being an athlete, being an excellent condition. Ah,
I had gotten diagnosed with a kissing Bell's palsy. And
I thought, in the world and that as a top
athlete some of the best conditions, I thought, what is this?
And I am not a candidate so and and I
(09:53):
felt like something laid dormant in me. And and later
in life life I was on this journey of I
love puzzles, you know, putting them puzzles together, those different jagged,
broken pieces that come together to make this beautiful picture.
And and it was like I was on this journey
(10:15):
or this this putting this puzzle together to say something.
There was a disconnect and and always loving health and
wellness and and and loving the Lord of you know,
I uh, I from a small child, I just knew
God wanted us spiritually and physically well. And I always
(10:36):
wanted to really be in my best condition because of
this vessel that that that God. I was like if
he pressed me as a in a teener, if he
blessed me to wake up free breath. I wanted to
be my best, my strongest for the lost. So I
was always very purposeful with my wellness. But as I
(10:58):
continue through life, there were there were times where just
strange illnesses that just didn't make sense. And ultimately, you know,
because I think too often we received diagnosis and we
just simply accept it right, questioning, even without understanding or
(11:20):
sometimes without even giving belief that we have the right
to know why, right, especially in America. You know, around
the world, there's millions of suffering daily with chronic pain
and diseases. But but there's hope. And I always said, Lord,
there's you know, no lack and failure in you. And
and sometimes we'll have terrible things might happen and and
(11:46):
God will will heal And then Jimi's not. I often
think of like Johnny Erison todda who who had the
diving accident at eighteen and broke her neck and uh
and beauty a full soldier for the Lord. But God,
but what would the wheelchair ministry be about it? Times
(12:08):
when we go through this horrific, challenging time and God
heals for a purpose. And that is how I felt
when when I was diagnosed with multiple scrosses. You know,
literally my life changed overnight and within like two years,
(12:29):
I was paralyzed on both legs in my right arm.
But I was determined to reconnect that disconnect and it
took me. Multiple scrosses took me on a journey, and
I thought, even in the name multiple multiple scarrings, so
it took me back to my childhood, to a full circle.
(12:50):
And on that journey, doctor Linda God showed me. He
revealed to me the unseen bruising of affliction in the
com flicks that were in me, uh, that I wasn't
aware of. Uh. But it wasn't just for me. It
was for me to as again to ask someone that
(13:10):
studied in college science and research where I didn't want
to go to med school because I always wanted to
be on the prevented end, but because I was surrounded by,
you know, seeing different illnesses and diseases and conditions that
I just didn't didn't make, didn't quite understand, and often
and also been so much in our culture. We don't
(13:32):
go to the doctor, right And so so I said no,
I wanted to be on the prevented end of things.
So currently I lead. I founded a nonprofit, Grace to Overcome,
Love blooms here where we advocate well being and through
this journey of healing and restoration and finding my way
(13:53):
back to wholeness because there, uh it was I it
since the need that wellness needed an advocate, and others
needed hope they needed so our mission, Race to Overcome,
as we advocate well being is rooted in hope helping
others pursue excellence in wellness. As an act off, I
(14:16):
go bringing awareness of us because our work at the
root is getting to the healing. Yes, because the root
is where the healing begins, and exploring uh, the biology
the origins of diseases, especially through adversity and trauma. That's
(14:38):
I often say, It's not so much what's happening to us,
it's what's happening inside us biologically when things happen don't happen.
So Grace to Overcome we we we are focused on
holistic health prevention and advancing youth wellness because it all
(15:01):
goes back to so much of our challenges and struggles
are rooted in our childhood experiences. That follow us into adulthood.
So invested in affirming our youth with I see and
you value and who you are makes a difference. So
(15:22):
through Race Overcome. As a CEO and Chief Research officer,
we focus on root wellness, youth and adult empowerment and
parents lifted. Those overlap and are intertwined and areas that
children need especially through attachment, engagement and active play. And
(15:44):
through those three core initiatives, we're just vested being a
bridge helping others get across to where they want to be.
And we have a twenty thirty vision to be known
for transforming challenge lives, the wholeness and safety. So we
are on the front line literally on a movement, especially
(16:09):
through the average childhood experiences and some groundbreaking development and
research that's been I would hate to say suppressed, but
it's over forty years that how we truly are hardwired
to heal and with awareness there's hope for healing.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
Indeed.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
Indeed, so you've turned your life into purpose because of
uh your past traumatic experiences as you took us through it.
You took us through from childhood, then you took us
through even being trapped in a fire. You know, all
of these are different traumas that you went through. Now
(16:52):
you were a child, But can you explain to us
what being in any of these places says?
Speaker 2 (17:00):
What did this do to you as an adult?
Speaker 4 (17:04):
Well, when I think about as I said that there
was there were buffers where I'm thankful for the positives
that were in that that foundation, uh, because too often,
you know, just one positive adult in a child's lives
(17:25):
makes a difference. So I'm thankful I had by church,
by my intimate family. However, when I think back of
that that fire when I was when I was rescued
through that small window and there was a glass that
chunk a chunk out on my foot. It must have
(17:45):
been like a month later or so. I was just
sitting and someone said the word fire, and literally I
just took off. And until this day, there's some things
like you know, being in trapped in areas I just say,
like with the dog issue, still anxiety. But when I
(18:10):
think back of the different challenges, how what people did
as for like the childhood boys that saw that that
sick the dog on me and even other uh, from
adults to youth. I've always had a forgiving heart. I
mean I've always as a young Christian, I was like, Lord,
(18:34):
you know, there's no lack and failure if this came
to me, Why so it just gave all the difficulty
and adversity that I went through just gave me a
bigger desire to want to advocate in in health maintenance,
disease prevention, to help people, and even in my adult
(18:57):
it gave me a true compacts as for others, which
honestly was not actually in relationships did not serve me
well when I saw I think about you know, I
was married, and I'm thankful for my precious jewels, my
(19:20):
three children, but the knowing seeing the struggles, abuse, the
that my ex husband went through and you know, precious mother,
but that and and others, some of the challenges he
(19:41):
went through as an adult, seeing the need for just
someone to see what real love looks like. But hurt people,
hurt people, and in some of the most horrific experiences
in my life being transparent were in that relationship. Yeah,
(20:03):
and it's the beauty. I mean, I wouldn't take it
back for for me having my three precious children.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
Right, What you could do without that experience?
Speaker 4 (20:13):
Yes, But but then doctor did there was a time
or in my prayer closet because of some of the behavior,
I thought, what is this? I prayed, I said, Lord,
I don't know what this is. And I truly wanted
this understanding. And he he over above any degrees and certifications,
(20:36):
he said yes, and and information just really just was
it was revealed and I and I and I just
had still greater compassion, but definitely needed to exit the relationships.
And and that was part of me that always I
loved the institution of marriage value it thought it would
(20:59):
be good. I mean I was, I was a good wife,
but that it wasn't my story, but so over my
life it literally the adversity and the challenges this made
me stronger. And but when and and I guess part
(21:22):
of it I was holding in. I was maybe too
kind too, I say, too forgiving, But I was if
that saying says, don't don't.
Speaker 3 (21:37):
Sound like that was your that's song, like that was
your sense of coping, how you coped, how you got through.
So these were the things that you did as coping mechanisms.
Speaker 4 (21:49):
Yes, I I I mean I served people. I was
very active in my church. I didn't I didn't say no.
I I and to to my own detriment. I was,
you know, always working, and and one would say there's
twenty four hour. Actually, I remember driving around to myself,
(22:11):
I'm like, Pam, you know there's twenty four hours in
the day. You can't try to tram sixty hours. You know,
sleep deparation can kill you. I'm having this conversation with myself.
But yet still, sister, Pam, can you uh, yes, yes,
I was, and and and literally if I had laid
(22:37):
and it wasn't that I was this were if I
laid my head down, I probably would sleep for a week,
to the point I remember one time I was I
had It was like three days had passed and I
hadn't physically slept. I mean literally I had just changed
(22:59):
clothes and I was I wasn't even conscious of it.
And then I went to drive just across town and
I couldn't remember where I was going because at seventy
four hours, I'm thinking, hello, what are you doing? And
ultimately all of that came to a head, and I
remember how I was starting to really feel the facts
(23:24):
of not being able to say no. And honestly, I
didn't really think I was like a people pleaser. I
just if there was a need that needed to be met,
and and people weren't weren't doing it, especially if it
was a child evolved. If I could, if I could
help this person, the elderly person, and no one would
(23:47):
stepping to the plate. I just added it to my plate.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
So let's look, let's take a look at this. So basically,
you was in a relationship. Home wasn't a good place,
is right. So it seems like you're doing a lot
of avoid as, like keeping yourself busy, you know, so
you don't really deal with it as much on you
when you needed to. So helping others made you feel
(24:14):
better about yourself.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
What'd you say?
Speaker 4 (24:20):
Well, helping other people definitely always gave me joy. But
I was to the point where now, as for defending
myself off of foolishness and lies and like go to court,
I'm thinking, once I got to speak the clarity, I
was just so sick of my integrity being attacked and
(24:43):
then just some of the the this is horrific behavior.
But once I got out of that, and then I'm like, Okay,
you have these children to raise. There was financial there's
different levels of abuse and and and actually, and I
still don't like to talk about. But even though it happened,
I'm like, damn man, God said, you know, this is
(25:06):
your story.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
When it happened to you, it happened to you.
Speaker 4 (25:10):
So you can't be concerned about what some that they
might hear.
Speaker 3 (25:14):
Whatever it happened, right, this is your listen, this is
your story. And you are not here to apologize or
defend because you're here to tell your story. And your
story is what you went through, what hurt you, what
broke you. Right, because you are entitled, you are worthy
of love, you are worthy.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
You know of healing.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
All right, this is for you, and a lot of
times as adults, we are therefore our children. Well I'm
not walking away because my children need this.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
I'm here right here.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
But guess what, while you're hurting, your children were hurting too.
Speaker 4 (25:53):
Oh yes, and I see that. And it was like
the after effects and once even sitting that really that relationship,
there was the divorce shame that I didn't that that
I was. It was just when people would say and
I'm like divorced, it was like m h, I was
(26:14):
ashamed and and and and I didn't do anything. But
I'm like, you're you're taking that in and and and
just this. It was just a lot. Yeah, some of
the most horrific things. But then when I think back
(26:34):
of when how how God just was so faithful in
things too, with with others, loving, supportive individuals, and but
ultimately once MS hit and that journey, I said, because
nutrition and movement that was always in place. I was
(26:55):
always and I often say, uh, you know, good nutrition
and physical physical act activity when I'll give you a
get out of jail car for illness, accidents and disease,
But what a force field. But there was more of
having boundaries as a must. Uh, rest getting in and
the rest that you need is the some of the
rest I discovered I was missing. It wasn't just laying
(27:19):
my head down that that that social rest, I mean
the spiritual rest mean I was because I was in
that church and involved and loving that. But there were
different types of of lack that I was that I
was missing, and and then also being being feeling feeling
(27:42):
the hurt, feeling like literally saying it's okay you you
like I didn't. I had to give myself permission to
say this, this isn't this was this was bad. I
you know, I didn't deserve to be treated the way
(28:03):
I was treated and and it was like I did
not give myself that right to say and you didn't
do because too often a lot of times in marriages,
and especially in African American Oh, I mean, yes, it
(28:24):
does take two, well two if one stays or two.
But I know that I was doing everything, and I
know I was committed to doing everything in my power
to come together. I mean I would dig we could
(28:46):
to be that team. But recognizing that this person was,
you know, there was a severe brokenness there and and
narcissism is real, it is, and it is in this
terrific and I feel and I honestly I feel for
those people because they were created because of it.
Speaker 3 (29:09):
They were created because they came from an environment that
created that, and therefore they continue that in their relationship,
all right, because it takes two whole people to have
a healthy relationship. So if it's two broken people coming
together trying to have a healthy relationship, it won't work.
(29:33):
We both have to deal with our traumas, with our
problems so that when we come together, all right, we
can bring something healthy.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
But if one person is on the journey of their
healing and the other one isn't.
Speaker 4 (29:49):
Well.
Speaker 3 (29:49):
What that does is it slows down your very own
process of healing to a point. As women, you put
your life on a whole okay, to not only take
care of the home front, but to do everything else okay,
(30:10):
and it songs like that's exactly what you did, you know,
and you forget It's not about me. You took yourself out, okay,
and you not being healthy present and not healthy is
not good.
Speaker 4 (30:27):
Mm hmmm. No, I can truly say I I had
forgotten me, and but but my body said, but but
but my body didn't forget me, which the body will
tell in it when it says no, it's telling a story.
And and it truly didn't. And I even think about
(30:48):
with not just relations, even even work hurt. Uh. You know,
when there were things going on that just this this
that took to a head where my body just said
enough enough enough. But and I, but I definitely took
(31:12):
it back. And today I and when I when I
stuck back, and I had to stop and reflect and
realize that one I'm valuable, I am worthy. Uh. Then
there were there were often times where just didn't feel
(31:33):
worthy of being known. Well, it was no it wasn't that.
I mean, I felt I had people in my circle,
but in my intimate most personal relationships that I didn't
feel I wasn't worth no wing and and that was hurtful. Uh.
(31:54):
And but then there was a wise bishop that said
once he said you don't don't waste time.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
Hm.
Speaker 4 (32:00):
That they he didn't know me, but I just from
someone I followed, Uh, don't waste time with things that
don't matter and people that don't think you matter. If
you if you could be in the presence. And and
I'm that's why I'm so vested in a strong, safe
(32:23):
and equipped, affirming youth because that you are, that that
they know who you are makes a difference. I see,
and you value because we all want to feel valued. Uh.
If in it in in our most intimate close relationships,
(32:48):
I mean, if you're not at least value or worth knowing,
and the relationship isn't worth having. Uh So So today,
I mean truly for all of what I have been through,
and I definitely don't look like what I've been through right,
(33:10):
Thanks be to God, I take it. I would take
nothing back from the from the journey because I think
back of when I wasn't I was just I just
didn't understand a lot. I said, I don't understand one
of this disease that because I was so perfle as
a wellness. But it told the story and and I
(33:32):
think I shared some in the virtual conference when I
was at a wits end with this disease and such
pain and such such horror. And then God send a
little a little angel in the message by Brian Poppins
to sing that song for such a time as this.
I know it hurts, I know it's painful, but don't
(33:55):
you give up? And and it is too as I
look back act at our world and this we're facing
a rising global health crisis marked by chronic illness and emotional,
overwhelming and unprost trauma. You know, the traditional approaches are
(34:19):
not enough, and we must be you know, willing to
look through the lens holistically, but also at other evidence
space research that's out there to aid in our healing,
and also understanding that we we can't forget ourselves, you know,
when in self care isn't selfish, I mean, really, the
(34:44):
new health care needs to be true self care in
the and I call them my five foundations. We eat
hydrate one we we we we breathe, we move, we
we best, we feel are we doing these well? And
(35:05):
I desire to to take people on a journey of
discovery to see because you know, definitely food as medicine,
all those are great, and but our understanding when we
are at a stressful state, we might not know it,
but what's happening inside of us by physically but also
(35:26):
how we feel. Give people permission to feel to be
because if we don't actually feel, those feelings are still
happening on our on the Oregon level. And that was
some of the research that God revealed through other, uh
(35:48):
just pioneers of the movement of health and wellness. And
I'm excited about some of the initiatives that we're doing,
the race overcomes and really the that are rooted in hope.
I'm thankful for God, truly he doctor Lenther. He is
a restorer of all good things. And I think of
(36:12):
my foundation scriptures that I I that had three have
been for decades Romans eight and twenty eight, Jeremiah twenty
nine to eleven, and Songs one thirty eight and eight.
You know, all things the plans He has for me
for good, not to harm, and all things work together
(36:33):
for good to those that love God and I lo
love God I'm paraphrasing, and and that he's concerned about
what we're concerned about. So I told you, like from
an athlete, when I was running, you know, my Olympic
training got cut short some of those aspirations, but through
paralysis back on the track last this earlier this year,
(36:55):
I was like, gosh, Lord, I just feel so amazing.
And because my recovery from from the MS wasn't with
therapies and drugs, I said, do you want me to
run again? And you know, with like a week later,
you know what popped up on my phone. The USA
never in the United States, the USA World Masters Track
(37:21):
and Field Indoor Championship wasn't just never in the United States,
but right here in little Gainesville, Florida. I said, Lord,
if you didn't bring it right to my.
Speaker 2 (37:28):
Door, it right to you.
Speaker 4 (37:31):
And so soil people knew this Cinderella story of like
me being in this huge wheelchair and then driving my
adapted vand using my thumb and all these things and such.
Do you know her story? So it was just so.
Speaker 3 (37:47):
It's such a how long How long were you confined
to the wheelchair.
Speaker 4 (37:55):
Twenty eleven when I just started having a shift, then
to twenty and fourteen, where really it was God's healing hand.
I went to a service that was in my neighborhood
and horses and my memory sister of one of my
sisters church just paying you better go over there having
(38:18):
a healing service at it was at this particular church,
and I was like, I went, me and my son
and I thought okay, and we sat in the back
I was and literally it was a young man who
had was from the Islands, who had come back to
rural upstate New York. And then he was saying, okay,
(38:38):
if those that have any diseases or conditions that they
said on no cures for. And I'm sitting back there
and and and he said it again, and my son
he was a team He said, Momyn, that't you, because
you know sometimes sometimes we say we believe, but.
Speaker 3 (38:53):
I'm like, I got some doubt there, so he had
to reassure you that's you.
Speaker 4 (38:59):
So I said, okay, So I went down. I rolled
down and literally he was like he was talking to
other people and then he came down by me and
he was like, and I can't remember what exactly what
he said. But I said and he was like, well
stand up, I said, I I can't do that. And
and then literally he he went to you know, they
(39:22):
had some usherings helped me and it was really quite painful,
and I was and then he did something, he said something,
and and then literally the pain was gone.
Speaker 3 (39:34):
And well, first it didn't matter what he said. What
mattered was faith took you to roll yourself down, even
though in your head you wasn't sure what was expected
to happen. But the minute you left your seat, you
had to understand, all right, you was already and faith
(39:56):
was already in action. The minute you decided to go
to this event, faith was an action. You sat down.
Even though you are clueless or like you're not thinking
it's about me today, your son reassured you as to
why you came, because obviously you came with an expectation,
even though you might have had some doubts and some
(40:18):
thoughts or whatnot. But then faith still had you wheel
yourself down, okay to the altar at that time, okay
for you to receive and we hear it when Jesus says,
all the time your faith healed you, you understand the
woman with the issue of blood like you, She traveled
(40:39):
to where he was and said, today, if I could
only touch he you're taking me to church. Now, if
I could only touch the hem of his garment, I
will be well. So she knew in her head they
said there's a man that healed, I am going. And
she went with her belief. You understand, she traveled. Her
(41:02):
faith casts her to travel. She done tried everything else,
you understand me. And that's exactly what happened for you,
all right, So your ship, it.
Speaker 4 (41:12):
Sure did because then he said walk and and and
then I started putting one step another and then and
he told the usher person follower. And then because we
when we when we came in and the service and started.
So I was in the back. Before I knew it,
I had walked. And then people are like, my god,
(41:32):
sister Pam is walking, sister people from my and they
were taking pictures. And actually my still has that video.
I didn't know she had this. And so then the
next day at church. Uh, but but then they had
touched you know, when they've had these heel and they
take the whooks at my big electric wheelchair, and they
had touched my wheelchair and put it on the stage.
(41:54):
I said, excuse me, I have to drive with that.
Speaker 3 (42:00):
You forgotten you wasn't walking, you just saw that.
Speaker 4 (42:04):
I said that that goes into because I had have
a large adapted band that literally it wanted to driveway.
And so so the next day at church, I was
at at Sunday school in and I said, well, I
got a testimony and all I did was stand up.
So so it's a Sunday service.
Speaker 2 (42:27):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (42:28):
They said, oh, since the pam got a testimony and
I stood up. That was the word right there. That
was That was it. They were like, because there was
no doubt. Everyone knew my story. I mean so and
it was this guy's heal. But and then there were
challenges because I had to there was still I had
(42:48):
to continue getting out of my own way. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (42:50):
They were of rehabilitation and getting yourselves.
Speaker 4 (42:54):
Yeah, but I was determined, I said, Lord, I was
determined to reconnect that disconnect and I was gonna regain
my mobility and my legs and my arm and then
just holeness, healing and restoration, finding my way back to
wholeness health. And he did it, he said yeah, And
(43:17):
I said, Lord, being you together and whatever, I mean,
because I also said, I said, Lord, siting or standing,
I'm gonna walk out whatever purpose you have for me.
Right and then but then because I said, was now
my found even though those still three foundation scriptures, but
my one that I want everyone to know that when
(43:38):
we are, when we go through these struggles, that you know,
even the spiritual because Lord has given me be well
ministry because He desires us spiritually and physically well. But
you know that Isaiah fifty eight eleven and fifty eight,
the Lord will God you continuously ordering you are and
(44:01):
keeping you healthy too. You will be like a well
wordered garden, like an ever flowing spring. I just loved,
I mean, and it just says such a you know,
the lawd will God is continually certain things we don't
want to running continuously, And that's what was happening in
my mind. I had thought that we're running continuously. But
God stepped in and you know, warning us when we
(44:22):
are dry, we you know, saying this world will have trouble,
but be of good cheer. I've overcome the world and
so for that I at times to think me not
so strong, But I'm thankful that He chose me as
a vessel to be a bridge and a help and
(44:43):
a support for others and their healing, especially our precious babies.
You know, next to salvation personally, being a mother is
my second greatest accomplishment. And and I'm best then pouring
into as many as I encounter. And I'm like praying
(45:07):
and on my face for here in Gainesville. Teachers went
back today, but the babies they go back to school
next week. And Lord, I'm playing, please keep the enemy
at bay. You know, you know we we this the shootings,
(45:28):
that just the they just the the difficulties that our
youth have been enduring. But I'm just praying bad. You know,
schools be a safe place, right you know, yeah so
but so. But I'm so thankful for, like I said,
(45:48):
for being here, this opportunity to to just share their
one sister to another that's on the line. The help
love us.
Speaker 2 (45:57):
That's it. That's it.
Speaker 3 (45:59):
That's pretty much what it's about about, helping on empowering
others to know that even though you your biggest challenge
was MS multiple sclerosis, but God was still there.
Speaker 2 (46:15):
God is in your story, all right.
Speaker 3 (46:17):
He's in your story, and you came into healing and
you've turned your pain into purpose and you're pouring, you know,
into the ute, you know, because that's pressures to you,
because you're taking people also through what you went through
as a child, you know, the struggles by time as
a teenager. So I've gone through all of that and
yet death a blessing, you know, that is definitely a blessing.
(46:46):
So I want to thank you for being here on
Emergent and Power podcast today and everyone that was watching
that you can connect. All the information for Pamela will
be here in the bio, and we want to thank
you for your incredible story. And we know that you
will continue sharing your story with individuals and as you're
doing with the teenagers and your work in the community.
(47:10):
So we thank you for that. And you've turned your
life all right, You've given purpose all right. You're living
a purpose driven life and that is very commendable, right
and God will continue to be a part of your story,
for you have a powerful testimony one of miracles, literally
(47:32):
miracles all right, and miracles still happen in our time today.
So I want to thank you once again for connecting
with Emerging Empower. Everyone, thank you for watching on today,
and as we say every week, We're here to bring
you more stories of empowerment, more stories of emergence.
Speaker 2 (47:54):
All right, the scars in her case, it was the
multiple scars through multiple.
Speaker 3 (47:59):
Sclerosis, So she had to face all of those scars
not only psychologically but also physically, and she lives to
tell the story on today. So thank you so much
for being a part of emerge and empower And I
would like to close off in prayer for that person
(48:19):
who is watching us today who is not sure, confused,
don't know what's going to happen. You're literally also making
yourself sick because a lot of the things that we
don't share are actually weighing down on us physically and
also psychologically. So Pam lead us off in prayer as
(48:39):
we close out.
Speaker 2 (48:40):
Before you close.
Speaker 3 (48:41):
In prayer, is any last words you would like to
leave with a viewing audience.
Speaker 4 (48:47):
Well, well, I just want to encourage everyone that you're
stronger than you know, that your value, your love, and
just to remember how much if no one has told
(49:08):
you they love you, God loves you. God is there
for you. He's the greatest relationship you could ever have.
And there's grace to overcome and the difficult hard times
that if you're going through in life. Just be brave,
(49:30):
be confident, be you, and be good to yourself because
you deserve it. And as I pray a scripture that
comes to mind, dear friends, I pray that you may
enjoy good health and may you get well even as
(49:55):
your soul is getting along well. God desires us well.
Just having my father, we thank you for this great
day that you have made. We thank you for breath
of life that you have given. You did not have to,
but you did, so we are thankful and we're grateful
unto you. Lord, we trust you. And Lord, I pray
(50:22):
for all those that's under the sound of my voice
that they, if they don't know you, that they trust you, Lord,
and lean not to their own understanding in all their ways,
acknowledge you. Just to include you. And you said you not.
Maybe you shall direct our very steps. And Lord, I
(50:44):
thank you and you I know that to be true.
So Lord, on this this wonderful Monday that you have
given us life, I pray for everyone that's on the
sound of my voice that's going through any difficult, challenging struggle. Lord,
just meet them right where they are, give them to
(51:07):
lay their burdens at your feet and just be still
and know that you're in control and that you're in
their story. I pray that you meet any actual tangible needs.
(51:30):
And Lord, for those that are fairing to go back
to school, the youth, the teachers, the administrator's Lord, I
pray that Lord, that you just keep the enemy at bay.
Let the atmosphere be conducive to learning and thriving academically
and socially. Give the proper attachment, engagement and active playlists
(51:57):
needed for these babies, these jewels to thrive. And Lord,
I pray healing and restoration for all those that are
dealing with different challenging issues and problems. I pray for
those in textas that are still recovering from this horrific
(52:20):
floods and even around our world, the different challenges, adversities,
the violence. The Lord, just intervene. Calm the storm literally
or calm the storms and the individuals as you continue
(52:41):
to make the crooked places straight and Christ's sake, we
pray Amen.
Speaker 3 (52:46):
Amen, Amen, Thank you so much, Pamela, and thank you
everyone for being a part of the Emergent and Power
podcast on today. Until next time, Blessings to you all
and bye bye ah
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I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com