Still Standing is a book of poetry about me, my life and my fight. It also depicts situations I have witnessed and encountered with others. Most people have no idea what Lupus is or the impact it has on one's life. I want to raise awareness to this debilitating disease. I want people to understand it is not easy feeling like something controls your life more than you do. I hope what I have been through will inspire others to walk in Faith no GPS. God always shines a light at the end of the tunnel. It is up to you to follow the path blindfolded.
About the Author: K.S. Oliver is a twenty-eight year old author, poet, public speaker, model and business owner who was born in New York and raised in Georgia. She is the oldest of eleven children, and the mother of two boys, William Sha'Kwan and Trystyn K'Shaun. Although she has an Associates Degree in General Studies and a certificate in Medical Billing & Coding, writing has always been her guilty pleasure. She is the author of two poetry books: Still Standing and Affectionately 360. She decided to take leap and let the world read her rhymes of reason after several people read her poetry and suggested that she share it. And she is glad that she did. In 2012, she won the Best Poets and Poems award for her poetry. On May 20, 2010, following the birth of her youngest child, Ms. Oliver was diagnosed with SLE, also known as Lupus. Subsequently, she was also diagnosed with Discoid Lupus (Skin Lupus), Fibromyalgia, Fibrosis, Hypotension, Hypothyroids, Cricoarytenoiditis (Lupus in her voice box), and Severe depression. Her psychiatrist suggested writing in a diary to get her feelings and thoughts out of her mind and down on paper, but Ms. Oliver quickly learned that poetry came a lot easier. With her everyday life consisting of so many challenges, she felt she needed an easier outlet to keep her standing strong. And stand strong she did. Ms. Oliver has been cut, poked, and jabbed more than a multitude of times. She has stayed in the hospital so much that she is on a first name basis with the emergency room staff. She has had more x-rays, CT scans, surgeries, and blood work performed than she can count, but she is still standing. The road has been a tumultuous one. Over the past three years, Ms. Oliver's medical records have grown as thick as a how-to manual. She has stayed home in bed for weeks at a time in tears. She had a sore throat for over a year with no explanation. Her hair has fallen out in clumps. Her skin has broken out to the point where she is almost unrecognizable. But God's amazing grace has spared her from death more than one person deserves, and even still, she is here. After the success of publishing her own stories, Ms. Oliver decided to go into business with a close friend. Together they launched the publishing company Black Destiny Publications. When Ms. Oliver is not writing, she is running her business Events by Ebonee', co-running Black Destiny Publications, traveling the world, enjoying time with her sons, or simply relaxing with a good book in hand.