Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jerniqua Harris. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Jerniqua, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
Hello. September, 1985, I was born with many complications. I had seizures, I was not holding down my food, I had to be tube fed, I had breathing problems, I had to be placed in an incubator. I was not expected to live. By the grace of God and many prayers, I pulled through. October, 1985, I was sent home with seizure medication. Miraculously, I never had to take seizure medicine ever again! The doctors had said if I was to live, I would not intellectually make it to the age of 2. I was diagnosed with Mild Cerebral Palsy. I was constantly at Scottish Rite Hospital. I had to wear braces on my legs all the time.
Although, I knew that I had setbacks and trials regarding my learning situation, I went forward and conquered graduating High School. I was in Dance, Drill team, JROTC, Band, and Art. I also graduated College. I also earned my Yoga teaching certification.
I am taking risks on what the doctors did not believe that I could accomplish! I owe EVERYTHING to the most high, The King, My God!
“I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me.” -Philippians 4:13
Jerniqua, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am proud of myself for stepping out of the box and teaching myself things that I am wanting to learn, such as drawing. As a young kid, I would sit in my room with my art supplies and just put art tools to work on that paper and I’d just draw a still life or something from a magazine or something from my phone. For me, teaching myself art has been very beneficial and comforting to my mind, body and soul.
I joined instagram in 2013. I went from building an art page to becoming someone interested in Yoga! I seen the flexibility from other people on Instagram and I wanted to expand my goals and set out to better myself. So I joined yoga challenges. I won numerous of prizes and I began having a decent amount of followers. I am still being persistent with my art.
I am also proud of myself for jumping over fire for the very first time!! I joined the Spartan Race challenges. I completed the Trifecta challenge which earned me A Sprint, Super and Beast medal which I hold very close to my heart! I conquered climbing over high walls, carrying buckets filled with rocks that is (most likely) heavier than me, up and down steep hills plus the ending was to jump over fire! That’s something I felt like I would never in my life do! I did it though!!!
All of my achievements comes from God! He gives me the strength to keep going and never give up! He has given me my capability’s! :)
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is knowing that I have those abilities to excel in doing what I love.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
What drives me to accomplish my goal or mission is God. I feel as though God has a purpose for me (as he does for everyone) but knowing that I almost did not have life, inspires me to keep inspiring others because that is what God wants me to do. My creative journey is deeper than just accomplishing things, I want to be able to seek people’s heart and inspire them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaifit17