Tenesha Birdsong

please help support Tenesha Birdsong’s family in their time of need. Tenesha was part of our lil halos mommas and we will truly miss her.

(some powerful words from her sister Elizabeth)

When I think of my sister Tenesha Birdsong the first 3 words that come to mind are fierce, funny and a fighter. Born with Sickle Cell Anemia ,unbeknownst to our mother Felicia Willis, Tenesha was in for a lifelong fight. Diagnosed at only 11 months old Tenesha would be subjected to a life of extensive test, hospitalization, surgeries and blood transfusions a plethora of doctors appointments and many near fatal brushes with mortality. Tenesha was given a prognosis that she wouldn’t live to see 21 and that single prognosis was her motivation to beat the odds and in doing so she would be 1 of 7 recipients to receive the Beat The Odds Award.

“ Tenesha Birdsong doesn't let

the daily pain of Sickle-Cell Anemia

dull her zest for life. Instead

of giving in to the disease,

North Atlanta High School junior

maintains good grades, has a

pleasant attitude and is an inspiration to her family and triends.

Diagnosed with sickle cell at 11

months of age, Tenesha cannot

remember a time in her life without

physical suffering. Despite many days when she can barely move, the southwest Atlanta 17 year-old tries to be strong and serve as an example to her two sisters, ages 3 and 5, who are also sickle-cell patients.

"I try to function like a normal person, and I don't use my disease case as an excuse," she said. "I don't want to be considered special, I want to be treated like

everyone else."

Tenesha's lengthy medical

treatments and the debilitating

effects of her medications have made schoolwork a challenge.

Despite a daily struggle with the

disease, Tenesha completes her

school assignments from home or the hospital bed. Sometimes

absent for weeks at a time, when

she returns to school, she stays

late several times a week for spe-

cial tutoring and is enrolled in a

special program for students with

disabilities.

"I work hard to keep up, but

it's not easy," she said. "I still

give 110 percent, even though I

know they can't fail me."

Recently, Tenesha battled for

her life after an allergic reaction

to one of her many blood transfu-

sions. Last year, she suffered

from galistones and required surgery.

She also lost her beloved

grandparents in an accident.

Despite these adversities, Tenesha maintains a positive outlook

that inspires others.

"I don't cry, kick, scream and

complain, because it doesn't do

any good," Tenesha said. "In fact,

it would only make me feel

worse."

Tenesha dreams of a life with out constant pain and hopes to become an elementary school teacher. She is philosophical

about her illness and has learned to turn a negative condition into

positive motivation.

"In the end, it only makes me

work harder and be even more determined,”

she said.

After meeting other Beat the Odds recipients at a shopping

spree for their banquet clothes,

Tenesha said she was touched by

their strength and courage.

"Their stories are so much

worse than mine, because my

pain is just physical," she said.

"They had to go through so much

mental pain."

By Yusuf Davis

For the Journal-Constitution

Not only did she live past 21 but October 12, 2023 she celebrated her 39th birthday. In 2006 Tenesha met her husband Byron Vincent and after the first date the rest was history, they were joined at the hip. Byron became her best friend and confidant motivating her to continue to strive for the life SHE WANTED not the life the doctors told her would be obtainable and held her hand every step of the way. Something she aspired to be more than anything else was a mother. From the age of 11 she had two younger sisters (Tierra and Elizabeth) who she raised as her own and doted on. Whatever we needed she made it happen, but to be able to carry her own bundle of joy was matchless. Her dream would soon become reality in April of 2011 when she gave birth to her first baby girl Malaiyah Vincent and again in January of 2018 when her second baby girl Aurielle Vincent was born. Through both pregnancy’s her ability to persevere was evident. She fought not only for her life but for theirs as well. Her resilience was evident to anyone who had the pleasure to know her. She taught her 2 daughters how to beat the odds not only through countless teachable moments but by example. She loved and respected anyone she came in contact with and when she loved you there was nothing she wouldn’t do for you. Many of the Lil Halo’s parents can vouch that her support was evident. When Aurielle told Tenesha she wanted to play softball there was nothing that could stop her from making it happen. Aurielle’s first season was during the winter and no matter how cold it was Tenesha was in the stands with her blanket and oxygen screaming as loud as she could. Tenesha, Grecia and I (Elizabeth) would convene in between the switch from offense to defense and laugh whether it was from our girls being silly or intense calls from the umpire and SHE WAS ALWAYS READY! She didn’t allow her fibromyalgia in her lungs silence her roar. The true definition of a mama bear. In Tanesha’s final days we had endless conversations about how much excitement she had for the Spring Season to start and how we planned on screaming our heads off. Tenesha was such a dedicated mother she had me FaceTime her from the first practice of the season and she critiqued Aurielle on the minute differences only her eye would catch. We had no idea what would unfold but up until her last day on this earth February 29th, 2024 Tenesha Michelle Birdsong never stopped being the valiant mother, wife and sister friend and cheerleader she was destined to be. From the Vincent and Birdsong family we want to thank you all for simply taking the time to get to know our beloved angel.

She’s survived by her two daughters Malaiyah Vincent age 12 and Aurielle Vincent age 6, her husband Byron Vincent, her two sisters Elizabeth Birdsong and Tierra Smith and niece Zuri Smith age 1.