Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Lekeia Conway. Them and their team share their story with us below:
A resident of Maryland but a Philadelphia native Dr. Lekeia Conway completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Psychology and Liberal Arts within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. She later went on to complete her Ed.D in Higher Education and Adult Learning. Dr. Conway spent several years in the field of mental health but later transitioned into teaching in a Special Education classroom for high school students in Delaware. As time progressed so did her disability. Multiple Sclerosis began to take a toll on her mentally and physically and she ultimately stopped due to medical changes. A daily fight with Multiple Sclerosis coupled with being a full-time wife, mother, and business owner of two companies U’Nique Dezigns and C and L Logistics, LLC is nothing short of amazing and makes her a “Woman of Worth”.
Dr. Conway was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis on May 10, 2012. She went through every imaginable emotion. At her age, who wants to hear those words? However, she could not and did not allow that to stop her. Why? There was now a little person to care for and that was depending on her. As a person diagnosed with MS, she strives to bring MS to the forefront by trying to engage more on a personal level with women within the community as opposed to larger organizations. Dr. Conway doesn’t look at MS as her curse but as her blessing as it allows her to help others through this difficult journey. “Helping one another is a part of the religion of our sisterhood” (Louisa May Alcott, unknown). Dr. Conway will continue to fight every day one day at a time to bring more awareness to Multiple Sclerosis!
In 2021 with three other tremendous ladies who were also diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, joined forces to form the very first sorority for women with multiple sclerosis. The idea was birthed out of simply wanting to provide the same support we provide to one another and to women in the community facing some of the same challenges. We worked hard for less than a year to develop a sorority that would be so life-changing for others that it would touch women nationwide. Our sorority is all about community service, advocacy, support, and sisterhood just to name a few. We are so excited about what is to come for this sorority in the future.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life never offers you a smooth road (lol). Some of the struggles were initially being a single parent. Although I had a tremendous amount of support from my family members when I went home at night I had no one to lean on. I can’t thank my mother enough for her constant support through all of my challenges. Shortly after my daughter was born, I began my master’s program. The challenging part was learning how to balance everything. However The ball didn’t stop because I kept going to obtain my Ed.D. I am now married and my daughter was somewhat older, but the work was definitely challenging especially with flares. These programs were completely remote. This allowed me to juggle a full-time job, motherhood, relationship and school. Now let’s add multiple sclerosis to the mix. This is a disease that doesn’t give any warning. One moment you can be ok, and the next moment you can be admitted to the hospital for two weeks.
There are times when I could not even get out of bed because I was too tired or simply just in so much pain. Imagine the feeling of your legs being on fire from the inside and there’s nothing you can do about it. Not a great feeling. Better yet how about not being able to remember the important moments or dates of things happening in your life because of brain fog? These things don’t even cover the surface of some of the obstacles and challenges but give an idea of what individuals with MS experience, yet we persist!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about U’Nique Dezigns and C and L Logistics LLC?
In 2017, my husband and I started a trucking company called C and L Logistics LLC. My husband has been a truck driver for over 10 years and it has always been his dream to start his own company. We brainstormed and developed a business plan and C and L was born. He does the easy work which is driving! I do the hard part which is all of the office work. I would not trade it for the world.
All my life I have always been a crafter but have never done anything for anyone else outside of my home. During COVID-19 I decided to take it more seriously and really get into crafting and creating things. Aside from this being a business, it was also a form of therapy for me. I am able to get into my zone and tune the world out and have fun… lol… Months later U’Nique Dezigns was birthed and has taken off ever since. Being creative helps me to not only take my mind off of my disease, gives me something to do, but also helps me to feel accomplished. I design and make so many things but apparel for everyone in the family, tumblers, and other accessories.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
It reminded me to hold my family tighter and love them a little harder. Life is short and you never know what can happen. Budget more and stock up on everything even if you feel like you don’t need it.
I have also learned to do what makes me happy and that includes taking a spin on “HOPE” (my motorcycle) :).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.unique-dezigns.com
- Instagram: @unique.dezigns
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uniquedezignsinc
- Sorority Website: www.aepmssorority.org
