Wellness in Action with Keishawna Smith
Earlier this fall, Keishshawna hosted Tacoma’s second Sickle Cell Wellness Day, a warm and welcoming space for families, caregivers, and providers to come together in rest, laughter, and fellowship.
Although similar gatherings have taken place in Seattle, Keishshawna wanted to make it easier for Tacoma-area families to connect and participate.
“This is home, our community,” she shared. “Sometimes even though Tacoma and Seattle aren’t far apart, it’s not easy to make the trip. I thought, why not host it here at my house? I’ve been blessed with space where people can gather. Let’s share the wealth.”
Each Wellness Day includes self-care activities such as reflexology and massage, provided by local professionals, as well as comforting food and music. The first event featured a family barbecue, while the most recent fall gathering offered a potato and soup bar, complete with hot apple cider and cozy conversation.
For Keishshawna, the true focus is connection:
“Just having everyone around laughing, singing, having a good time, that’s wellness for me,” she said.
Over time, the event has grown to include more young people, creating a space that bridges generations through shared experiences and even a few 90s throwback tunes.
As a mother of two children living with sickle cell disease and the wife of a retired disabled veteran, Keishshawna understands the importance of community support.
“Wherever I go, the sickle cell community becomes family,” she said. “Our closest relatives are back in Mississippi and Louisiana, but our sickle cell family is right here.”
She reflected that while living with sickle cell can be challenging physically, emotionally, and financially, it has also expanded her circle of care:
“Sickle cell has stretched us out as a family to find others to bring into our circle. I can always see the small blessings it’s brought us.”
When asked what message she would share with others affected by sickle cell, Keishshawna offered this heartfelt encouragement:
“No matter how hard it gets, if you stop and look up, you’ll see how much support and family you have. You are never alone. There’s always someone there for you.”
Looking ahead, Keishshawna and her team hope to host a Friendsgiving-style Wellness Day in November, keeping the massages and self-care elements while focusing even more on fellowship and, of course, plenty of good Southern food.
