Episode 2

full
Published on:

14th Jun 2025

Keep Rolling On: From Loneliness to Connection!

Have you been wishing for a path to building community but don’t know where to start? On this inspiring episode of hello community®, Shameka Andrews, shares with host Catherine Jura, how she journeyed from a life of isolation to a life of global connections: one step, one book, one bus ride, one friendship at a time.

· Shameka’s story is a masterclass in uncovering how your current life may actually be guiding you towards the connections you desire

·   Discover how social media--when used with discernment and balance—can lead to a global community of friends

·   Shameka offers strategies on using boundaries to create a community that is nourishing—and not draining

·   Learn how using a gratitude journal can be part of a comforting spiritual life

·   Shameka shares how important it is to admit, ask for, and accept help: including therapy

Shameka has used a wheelchair for mobility her whole life—and this indeed impacts her daily life--but nevertheless she has blossomed into a traveling, dancing, vibrant women who revels in community building. Her spunk is captured in her contribution to the title of this podcast-- “Keep Rolling On: From Loneliness To Connection!”

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What we discuss (timestamp):

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

01:21 Meet Shameka Andrews

02:35 Shameka's Early Life and Challenges

05:46 The Power of Books and Education

09:24 Discovering Social Media and Building Connections

15:41 Spirituality and Community

29:16 The Importance of Boundaries

36:26 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

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Shameka’s biography:

Shameka Andrews is the community outreach coordinator for the Self Advocacy Association of NYS she also the founder of Disability Empowerment Consulting where she provides disability workshops on self-care, self-advocacy and disability awareness

In 2006 she won the title of Ms. Wheelchair NY, and she has been the coordinator of the program since 2013. 2017 she wrote her first children’s book butterfly on wheels

She serves on the NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, Developmental Disability Advisory Council for OPWDD and the NYS Human Rights Disability Committee

Follow and Contact Shameka at:

Email: disabilityempowered@gmail.com

YouTube--https://www.youtube.com/@shamekaandrews

FB-- https://www.facebook.com/ShamekaLAndrews

Instagram--https://www.instagram.com/disabilityempowered/

Linkedin--https://www.linkedin.com/feed/

Books Shameka Has Written: 

Behind the smile: 15 Women Who Survived the Storm

Buy the book

Butterfly on Wheels 

https://www.amazon.com/Butterfly-Wheels-Shameka-Andrews/dp/1535605634

 

 

 

 

Show artwork for hello community®

About the Podcast

hello community®
Creating Connection and Community
Do you wish you had more connection and community in your life? Do you wonder how to move from feeling isolated and lonely to having a sense of belonging? Welcome to hello community®, a safe space where guests share their heartfelt, relatable stories of how they create the life of connection, community, and belonging they so desire. I am Catherine Jura, your host for this podcast, and I am so glad you found us!

It is my utmost hope that you feel a connection to my guests. Therefore I intentionally choose guests of varying age, sex, ethnic and cultural background as well as ability and health status. Equally important is that guests are willing to share their stories of creating connection, in a vulnerable and meaningful way. So every other week you will hear real life stories with actionable ideas that you can try out in your personal life, home, workplace, campus life, community, and beyond.

I am a Community Health Educator and my life’s work has been to support others to be healthier in every way. In 2023, the US Surgeon General reported that Americans are experiencing an epidemic of isolation and loneliness. If you are experiencing a sense of not belonging, it doesn’t make you different—but it might feel that way. I understand because I have felt these feelings too.

Please join us and learn how to create the life of connection, community, and belonging that you so desire.

I am happy you are here!
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