Mama Bear

One Black Mother’s Fight for Her Child’s Life and Her Own

De: Shirley Smith

Narrado por: Tovah Ott

“Brave. Compelling. Provocative." (Gabrielle Union Wade, actress and New York Times best-selling author)

In this moving memoir, Shirley Smith, wife of NBA champion and All-Star J. R. Smith, tells the story of giving birth to one of the youngest premature babies to survive - using her experience to heighten awareness of the crisis of Black maternal and infant health and pay tribute to Black women’s resilience.

Shirley Smith and her husband, NBA champion J. R. Smith, looked forward to the birth of their second child, Dakota, as they celebrated New Year’s Eve with family at home. After dinner, Shirley felt a sharp pain that worsened through the night. Only 21 weeks pregnant, she was in labor. Mama Bear is the story of her 141-day ordeal, from entering a hospital emergency room on New Year’s morning and giving birth to her premature newborn, to taking her daughter home for the first time the following May.

In telling her story, written with Zelda Lockhart, Shirley shines a spotlight on the dangers Black women face during pregnancy. Black mothers are twice as likely as their White counterparts to go into labor prematurely and lose their babies - and almost four times as likely to die giving birth. Neither socioeconomic status nor access to quality health care seem to matter. Tennis champion Serena Williams experienced life-threatening complications during childbirth, and Beyoncé suffered toxemia with her premature twins.

Shirley chronicles the emotional and physical battle she and J. R. endured to save their daughter, and her continual struggles to support her family while nurturing herself. Like many Black women, Shirley was raised to believe that pain is a sign of weakness. The one who kept it together for everybody, she had always put herself second. She parallels this difficult journey to her childhood growing up with an addict mother and having to raise herself and her brother from a very young age.

A chronicle of pain, loss, and infidelity, Mama Bear is ultimately a story of love - a celebration of community, family, faith, healing, the maternal bond, and one woman’s indomitable spirit.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Shirley Smith (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Heartfelt

This was the first book That I listened to in one day. It was very interesting and heartfelt … Shirley opened her life to us and I’m sure everyone mother child aunt uncles etc. was touched and healed. May God continue to Bless this author hundred fold return for sharing her life with us …Thank you Shirley

Empowering, Enlightment, Encourging,

As a native Ohioan, I've been able to follow the story of Shirley "Jewel" Smith and her family as a mother to Demi, then wife of JR then Mama Bear to Dakota and Denver. Through it all I've admired how she wore each hat she appeared so confident even when I could see the pain in her eyes. Moving through the trials, tribulations, and test's of life builds us up in ways we can't see with the naked eye. I believe that when we allow ourselves to be venerable and truly let go and let "GOD" that's when the true awakening and work begins. I enjoyed listening to this book although I myself haven't birthed a "Kota Bear" I am a mother that's had her own trials within the healthcare system along with past trauma's of life. This book will provide guidance in one way or another if you're open to receive and except the ugliness that we women tend to ignore this is for you Sis.

Amazing read

From start to finish an amazing read as Shirley opens up her world to us on life, self care, getting the help we need to break generational curses, and experiencing the birth of a premature baby! Wow wow wow!! A must read!!

Amazing Amazing Amazing!!

Shirley, thank you so much for having the courage to share your journey with us. I admire your strength and resilience as you faced some heartbreaking moments. This book was so raw,relatable, & uplifting. I honestly may have to listen to the final chapter everyday, because that was the reassurance & guidance that I needed to hear as a new mommy.Purchasing this book was the self care that I needed.