About
Shalanda Shaw
“Even when words fall short, pain itself can still find a voice.”
Shalanda Shaw is a writer whose work skillfully explores mental health, faith, and resilience through poetry. Her debut book, The Pain Sings a Song, is a narrative poetry memoir that reflects on lived experience and the sustaining power of spirituality. Through her writing, Shaw creates space for honest conversations about healing, recovery, and hope.
During her adolescence, Shaw confronted bipolar disorder and discovered writing as a vital tool for survival rather than mere expression. Poetry became a way to translate pain into meaning and silence into language. Through this work, she channels personal challenges into a voice that resonates with and supports others navigating similar journeys.
Born and raised in Jamaica, Shaw later moved to the United States as a teenager, an experience that deeply shaped her perspective and creative voice. Her cross-cultural background informs her work with nuance and emotional depth, grounding her belief that even when words fall short, pain itself can still find a voice.
Drawing from her lived experience, Shaw pursued education as a path toward understanding and growth. She currently works in Human Resources, where she supports individuals in finding meaningful careers while continuing her commitment to advocacy and storytelling.
Illness and recovery
Shalanda Shaw was born and grew up in Jamaica. She was a very smart little girl and started to attend school at the age of two years and three months. Shalanda had a fair number of friends, but at the age of twelve, she began to withdraw. She became dismal toward her siblings, though she was still very protective of them. Later, it was revealed that these were symptoms of bipolar disorder.
When Shalanda was sixteen, her mother mentioned that she might have bipolar disorder. Shalanda looked it up, and she could check off almost everything on the list. So, Shalanda agreed to treatment. This presented relief for her, knowing finally a label for her pain.
Through the years, Shalanda’s diagnoses changed, but two things remained constant: She stayed in school, and her bipolar disorder symptoms persisted.
Education
Dedication
To my mother, for she has been through the ups, downs, breakthroughs, walls, and successes. She is my biggest support. I love you, Mommy. You are the best.
Read the book
Seven parts, three hundred and thirty-three pages, and a new writing section for readers.