About Me — Oneness Sankara

A Story of Motherhood Down Syndrome, Brown Skin and The Pursuit of Purpose

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Identity

Black. Woman. African. Grenadian. British. Artist. The boxes and labels that make up what is known as me. Oneness Sankara. And I encompass all of these spaces and more in my life. Some of them are permanent and some fluid. I wake everyday as a woman with brown skin whose heart is filled with creativity. And I’m a mother.

The other oldest job in the world!

Probably my most important job of all. Does that statement send us back 50 years? Reducing my identity to the fruit of my womb when as women we have fought for so many other rights. Well, I fought for this right and I fight for it every day. I have 2 children. My bonus son is my eldest, donning a whole 15 years on planet earth and then there’s my youngest who is a 6 year old bundle of special energy.

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Special needs mum

Some folk don’t like the term special needs but as far as terms go it’s not bad. My youngest son has a diagnosis of Down-syndrome aka Trisomy 21 or T21 and this diagnosis has changed my family’s life. Well let me not speak for everyone. It’s changed my life. I was a writer before becoming a mother. Mainly fiction. Now I also write about my personal experiences too and here’s why:

• I’m a Black/African/African Caribbean (take your pick) British woman with a child with Down syndrome/T21. When he was born I was scared and in need of support and yet I saw few families — with a disabled family member — that resembled mine. This made me feel more alone and made me feel invisible. It is my deepest desire that any new mother who should be celebrating the joy of a newborn should feel how I felt. In sharing our life I hope to be part of the solution
• I’ve learned so much about a community that I barely knew existed. Not just the disability/diff-ability/pos-ability community but those who care and support. The SEN (special educational needs) mums. These communities — of which I am now part of — are made up of amazing souls with powerful stories and I want to celebrate them with my pen (or keypad!)
• I — you could say selfishly — want a better world for my son. And of course others who are marginalised and discriminated against. I want to use the term keyboard warrior in a positive affirmative way to advocate for change through my stories and musings of diversity, inclusion and self-determination

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Multi passionate creator

I’ve many strings to my bow as a playwright, poet, musician, mentor and actress. As multi-passionate as I am, it doesn’t mean that I do all of these things at once. It is merely a reflection of the fact that I started young. My mother sent me to drama school at 8 years old. She witnessed the love of creativity that I displayed at home and very wisely (as much as for the sake of some peace and quiet) found somewhere for me to channel that energy. And that’s where it all began with a few twists and curves on route that I shall include in future posts!

So that’s me, a multi-passionate creative who believes that every single being who gets gifted with this thing called life has a divine purpose and should be supported in its full realisation.

Thank for reading and stay in touch

Latest Project: T21 Alchemy

Insta: @tT21Alchemy @thepurposementor

Podcast: https://purposepod.buzzsprout.com