Meet Brianna Terry | Founder of Scarred Not Broken

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brianna Terry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brianna, how do you think about risk?
I think that taking risks can be one of the scariest, yet most necessary things to do. It’s scary because you don’t know what may come of it. It’s fear of the unknown. Simply stepping out in faith to start my organization was a huge risk. I didn’t know whether I would be good at overseeing an organization or not. But I decided to go for it. Two years in, I am nowhere near where I want to be, but I am so much further along than where I thought I would be.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The purpose of Scarred Not Broken is to provide individuals with disabilities with the necessary tools to lead successful lives, all while reminding them that the challenges they have faced may have left them scarred, but certainly not broken. By building confidence through coaching and increasing awareness of valuable community resources, we help individuals with disabilities achieve their version of success.

One thing that sets me and my organization apart from others is that we don’t strive to just help individuals with disabilities get by, but to live their best lives. Regardless of an impairment, everyone should be able to wake up and love the life they lead, and I am proud to be engaging in this unique mission through SNB. I am most excited about the future. While our organization is still in its early stages, we have already begun to impact the community, and I am confident that we will continue to do so, on an even larger scale, for years to come.

I am in this place today because I took a chance on myself and the vision I had of serving the disability community. Prior to graduating high school, I desired to go off to college and pursue a counseling career. Because of the chronic illness with which I was born, I couldn’t follow that path. I had to find another way to encourage others and provide them with the tools and resources necessary to achieve success. Thus, SNB was born. Starting this organization provided an avenue for me to both help others and to personally achieve success as a disabled person. Though this journey has not been easy, through prayer, hard work, and dedication, I am still here today.

I’ve learned several valuable lessons along the way; two of which are:

1. You have to believe in yourself, even when no one else does. Sometimes the people closest to you, the ones you thought would be your biggest supporters, turn out to be your biggest critics. But if YOU can believe it, YOU can achieve it. If God gave you the dream, He will equip you with the necessary tools to realize it. This lesson has motivated me to continue to push forward on the toughest of days.
2. Embrace your own journey. Don’t compare yourself to the next person. No two success stories are alike. And success doesn’t happen overnight. But with persistence and dedication, you will get there.

I am most proud of the impact I’ve already left on others. Whenever someone tells me that I’ve touched their life, I am reassured that I am fulfilling my purpose.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My bestie and I would definitely be brunching at Hearsay on the Waterway – don’t hold the bottomless mimosas!

A Beyonce concert at the Toyota Center is an absolute must.

A night out at Prospect Park is also sure to be on the itinerary.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my Shoutout to my parents for always being by my side no matter what.

Website: https://www.scarrednotbroken.org

Instagram: @brianna_lashaye

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianna.terry.12