Meet Doris Johnson of Detroit

Today we’d like to introduce you to Doris Johnson

Hi Doris, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have wanted to become a published author almost my entire life. And I began my journey, with a pen, at the age of nine, never realizing where it might lead. As I got older, my writing became my absolute best friend. Because of it, I was able to navigate through the many obstacles I would face in my travels. My journal, my trusted friend, housed my dreams when they were impossible. And looking at them was, and continues to be, my constant reminder that the dreams weren’t dead, nor were they orphaned. They were deferred…not defeated.
In 1998, I suffered my first bout with seizures at the hands of my (then) boyfriend. I had 13 seizures in one day. Those occurred while I was in the hospital, so the accurate number can not be determined. After seven days in the hospital, I was released, but I didn’t know much. I didn’t remember much about my life prior to my hospital stay. Immediately, I learned that I gave birth to a baby boy. For a time, I knew nothing of my life…not even where I lived. The actions of my boyfriend were startling. I couldn’t understand why he was so cruel at a time when I needed his support. In quietly observing, I could tell he was hiding something from me…that a key component was missing. One day, when he was gone, I pulled out my journal, and it told me who I was, even down to the moment when I was having seizures at home. He was a stranger to me. But after reading the horrors of my life, it came back to me. I was in a troubling situation. My journal provided the back story. It was the first “About Author” that I ever created.
I had plans to become an advocate (somehow), even when I needed someone to advocate for me. And now I am.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. There are so many limitations placed on my life. I got my masters degree, although doctors suggested that the studying was a trigger. I did it. How can anyone live without thinking and growing? I’m conscious of it! No matter how I want to pretend that this invisible illness does not exist, It sends me a reminder. I’m conscious of it! And then I have to start unthinking what the abuse had caused me to believe. I have to stop unhearing the things that were said to me. The good thing is, when I feel myself sinking, the assist that I provide for others is yet another life line given to me. But still, I’m conscious of it!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My gaining expertise resides in all the things I do. My focus is using all the voices in my head, and one day, pray they resound. The writing saved my life , just as it does today. It serves as the teacher of the untold. With it, I can shared who I was, who I am, and who I am becoming. Additionally, I can create a mystical and magical world that readers can enjoy. The domestic violence and seizure disorder allows me to advocate for those who can’t, support those in need, and receive support that I need. Healing is a lifelong process. I often use my radio show, Everything Doris, as a platform to speak about domestic violence and epilepsy. More than anything, I believe I am recognize for writing. My passion project currently, is the children’s book I released this year. It is titles, Candi’s Superpower (a tale of epilepsy). Although, I did not have epilepsy as a child, I was able to consolidate the myths and stigmas related to having seizures. I did not learn what epilepsy is until I was 18 years old. I believe that the teaching of this invisible disease will encourage children with epilepsy to live out loud, and education their peers and the ones who love them on what to do in a crisis.
My friends say I wear so many hats that they are stacked on top of one another. Sadly, I think people are running out of applause because they expect so much of me.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am open to collaborations. I am welcoming readers to speak with me about being a guest/co host for my talk show. I welcome the opportunity to participate in domestic violence programs and events. I would love to be a vendor. I am currently seeking to find grants and funding to support my start up organization for Women’s Services as they transition from unsafe relationships and environments.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.everythingdoris.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everythingd0ris/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doris.johnson.355/
• Twitter: https://x.com/everythingd0ris
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dorisjohnson
• Other: https://www.gynesisradio.com/