GoodHeart | Tashanique Gordon won’t let chronic illness limit her horizons

Diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease and asthma at eight years old, Tashanique Gordon has spent much of her life learning to manage both conditions while making room for her academic and extracurricular pursuits. Now a second-year University of the West Indies student studying for a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, she is involved in campus leadership and the performing arts. This has not stopped her from seeking opportunities beyond the university campus, including a solo trip to the United States for the Summer Work and Travel programme.

Travelling alone meant more than adjusting to a new environment. Thousands of miles from her family, Gordon also had to make arrangements to manage her health while abroad.

“Being away from my family for so long was one of my biggest worries, because I’ve never actually travelled without my family; we’re always together,” Gordon shared. “And I didn’t go with friends; I went by myself. So then I was just there, and I didn’t know anyone at first.”

Preparing for the trip required careful consideration, particularly when it came to her medication. Gordon travelled with a full supply of her daily medication and also had to arrange to receive her scheduled penicillin injection at a clinic in the United States.

“My parents were worried, given that I do have a [heart disease],” she explained. “[And], there’s a lot of certainty needed in terms of medication and making sure that I actually have enough so that it lasts me while I’m over there and I have no issues. There was a bit of [a] drawback on that end, but for the experience, networking, and cultural exchange, my parents were all for it. They always want to see me level up in another aspect [of] life.”

Gordon funded the upfront agency fees through a work and travel loan from Trublu, allowing her to complete her preparations and touch down in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Her family continued to support her from home.“They just called me every day, ensuring that everything was okay,” she shared with a smile.

Once settled, Gordon found herself immersed in an eye-opening blend of culture, work and community. Working alongside roommates and international peers, she quickly embraced city life, touring downtown Pittsburgh, taking photos of local murals, enjoying evenings at Dave & Buster’s, and riding the attractions at the amusement park where she was employed.

“I met a lot of people from all over the world, all the way to Beijing, China, and some other Jamaicans as well,” she noted. “Even though I’m back in Jamaica now, I still hang out with those I met on work and travel. If I didn’t go, I wouldn’t have known these people. It just brought new horizons.”

The journey also yielded unexpected dividends for her academic and professional ambitions.

While in Pennsylvania, Gordon connected with a lecturer in biochemistry from the University of Pittsburgh. The mentorship sparked a unique opportunity for the UWI undergraduate to sit in on a university lecture, broadening her perspective on global scientific research.

Outside of the lab, she connected with a digital specialist who mentored her in social media strategy, allowing her to bring back practical digital marketing skills that she now uses to assist peers back home.

Back on campus, her enthusiasm for connecting with others also led her to become a Trublu campus ambassador, using her platform to guide fellow students seeking their own life-changing travel opportunities.

Reflecting on the summer that challenged her apprehensions and stretched her comfort zone, Gordon is proud of the young woman who returned to Jamaican soil.

“My confidence has definitely been boosted,” Gordon said. “I was always a confident person, but there has definitely been an improvement because I’m more okay now talking to people when I wouldn’t have been. Before this experience and being a Trublu ambassador, I would have never thought to do something like this, but now I’m much more open to interacting with people.”

For other young people living with chronic illnesses who may be hesitant about pursuing similar opportunities, Gordon’s advice is straightforward: do not allow uncertainty to make the decision for you.

“Just do it. Don’t limit yourself. Some opportunities are once in a lifetime, and you never know what doors it will open. Figure out the logistics and just do it,” she advised.

Asked to capture the essence of her journey, the biochemistry major didn’t hesitate.

“The overall experience was a magical one in terms of getting to meet people and explore a lot of different aspects,” she said.

goodheart@gleanerjm.com