Sonia Addison

Breast Cancer Survivor/Entrepreneur/Owner/CEO

Hello, my name is Sonia Addison and I am a 19 year veteran of the US AIr Force. I was medically separated due to my battle with Breast Cancer that left me with a heart condition and a defibrillator. It was at this time that the Air Force felt as though I was not "Fit to Fight"
My battle with Cancer was what I like to call my "Sit Down, Shut Up and Listen from God" It was a situation where I was knocking on death's door and it changed my life. I awoke with a new view and lease on life, My battle began in such a horrific way that ended up being indicative as to how the rest of the journey would be. The doctor who gave me my biopsy made a terrible mistake during the procedure and when I decided that I would not be returning to his office, he called me to confirm. at the close of that call. he said "since you are not coming back, you have cancer, sorry, goodbye" and hung up the phone. That is how my journey began. From there I would go on to opt for a lumpectomy and ultimately found out that once they cut the lump out, the cancer spread like wildfire and I ended up having a double mastectomy because my Cancer was very aggressive and rapidly spreading. From there I went on to have 8.5 months of intense chemo where I could not walk, talk, eat, drink. or tend to my children. Then on to 37 radiation treatments where on the morning of my 25 treatment, in the shower, my skin just slid off my chest to expose white meat. So I have to wait 2 weeks to heal and then finish the rest. Finally we make it to Breast reconstruction, another pivotal turning point in my life. First came cancer, then surgery, chemo, radiation and now disfigurement. As a woman who had lost her hair and boobs, something that society says makes us women, my self esteem, confidence and self worth was completely trashed. I knew at this point that I was going to do something about this. Its called Body Image Dissatisfaction. and it is something that post mastectomy breast cancer patients go through after breast reconstruction. I just recently attended a program called EBV, Entrepreneurial Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities. I showed up with an idea and a dream, and left with a roadmap to success. I am going to design and manufacture a revolutionary product for Breast Cancer Survivors. Imagine a world where a bra is not just an undergarment but an instrument of empowerment. My company will promote body positivity, empowerment, self confidence and allow women to be comfortable in their own skin, no matter what they have been through.
I understand the journey these ladies have walked – the battles fought, the fears conquered, and the triumphs celebrated. That's why I've meticulously crafted a space where their unique needs are met with compassion, expertise, and artistry. My custom-made bras are not just undergarments; they're an embodiment of our resilience, our story, and our beauty. I would love the opportunity to speak to your listeners in hopes that they would be interested in empowering a Breast Cancer patient.