Meet Aeisha Reese | Voice Over Artist & Crohn’s Survivor

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

Hi Aeisha, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
Ever since my adolescent years, it has been embedded into my DNA to never give up. As I’ve grown into a young woman, this is now an innate trait that has been the driving force of my life. In order to understand this idea, you have to know my story.

Shortly upon moving to NYC to pursue my career on Broadway and the performing arts, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in March 2014. From that moment on, I began a new life and endured my first emergency surgery – a temporary colostomy, which includes a pouch over an incision in the abdomen, where waste enters. Thankfully, I worked hard to rebuild my contacts in the industry and gain exposure, while keeping my condition a secret.

Things were turning around for my good until March 2017. It was then that the greatest storm hit my path. Due to blood clots, I went into an induced coma for nearly two months; and after several surgeries, I lost my small intestine. Doctors stated that I had a 15% chance of living, and I needed to receive a rare transplant, a small bowel (intestine) transplant – something my family and I had never heard of until that moment. The catch was I must get “well enough” to be transferred to a hospital that has surgeons who specialize in this surgery.

By the grace of God, I got well enough to be transferred to Mt. Sinai Hospital in NYC. Here is where another journey began. I met Dr. Iyer, Dr. Moon and their amazing transplantation team. After more surgeries, I was sent home to do an intravenous treatment through a central line, called Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN), every day for 14-16 hours until receiving THE CALL for a transplant. This stage is called Short Gut Syndrome which includes a G tube drain in the absence of the intestine. TPN gave me man made nutrients, while I was not able to eat for two years. No intestine = No food.

Not eating is extremely challenging, especially because in almost every social environment, eating is involved. Sometimes I would be so frustrated, that I would swallow food, and later have to spit it out because it had nowhere to go, giving the absence of my intestine. There were also moments where I received false alarm calls for a transplant. One instance I recall is when I went to the hospital to prepare for the procedure, only to discover that the surgeons found holes in the intestinal transplant, and weren’t able to operate.

Despite those traumatic events, I was inspired to create a support group and ministry that uses the arts as a tool to inspire and uplift patients, revealing that they have the power to overcome any diagnosis presented to them through the Spirit of Christ. This was birthed at Mt. Sinai Hospital, and it has expanded to other hospitals throughout all the boroughs of NYC.

May 19, 2019 was a BIG DAY! I received my 2nd small bowel transplant straight from Heaven. However, in 2022, I faced acute and intense rejection that resulted in the removal of the 2nd intestinal transplant. Here I stand, 20+ surgeries later awaiting my 3rd transplant, and I couldn’t be more grateful for life. I’ve learned that gratitude is the evidence of elevation! Each day I am grateful for the gift of life. I am an instrument of inspiration for those in my community. I am a successful professional voice over artist, and I recognize that trials give birth to amazing treasures.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Becoming a voice over artist wasn’t actually part of my plan. Opportunities on Broadway was what brought me to NYC, and unfortunately due to a diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease along with multiple surgeries, my career went into a different direction. It wasn’t until the pandemic (2020) that I decided to submit to my current agency. At this time, I had my 2nd intestinal transplant, and the roller coaster journey of my health had reached a smooth consistency. Shortly after being signed, I booked/became the voice of big clients such as Target, Levi, Fisher Price, Burger King, Kohls, and many others. Additionally, my story has created opportunities to partner with Power to the Patients (a platform and campaign devoted to ensuring patients have the right to knowing the prices of medical bills) as an ambassador. This journey with my career has taught me to never limit myself or my abilities. Always think outside of the box, and be willing to pivot with the flow of life. I want the world to know that I have chosen to defy the odds of my health and life circumstances. My current condition is actually a gift that has given me a platform, and added onto the path of my purpose.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
NYC is a huge melting pot of culture and activities. Restaurants I love are: Jajaja Plantas Mexicana (it’s both vegan and Mexican), Mamajuana Cafe (Dominican cuisine in the Bronx), Artistic Pizza (West Village), Tsurutontan Udon Noodle Brasserie (Union Square), Maison Harlem (French cuisine in Harlem) , Footprints (Jamaican cuisine in Brooklyn).

Places for fun: Kareoke in Korea Town, The Museum of Ice Cream, Immersive Gamebox, Music events at The Lincoln Center, Gonzalez y Gonzalez (salsa dancing and live band performance).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to give a shoutout to my parents, Trena Calhoun-Reese and Danny Reese, for all their support, family, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, mentor Cornell Harris, and boyfriend, Ahtreb David Rhoden for his unconditional love and care.

Website: https://www.aeishareese.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aeishareese/

Image Credits
James Kétant