“Social media does not always tell the truth,” That’s the reason why Dr. Lucille O’Neal has decided to share her story once again. In 2010, she had a memoir, ‘Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go’, where she came out to the world as an author and not just Shaquille O’Neal‘s mother. Now she is releasing another book and shared one of the toughest parts that she had to write.

“It was hard when I wanted the world to know that I was ashamed of being a teenage mother. Shaquille was born, I was not married, and I was only 17, fresh out of high school, I turned 18.” Lucille continued on Atlanta News, “but that was hard for me to share, because people think that when you’re pregnant early, you have no business. First of all, being pregnant but some of the things that you go through it’s very hard.”

The motivational speaker credited her mother for helping her face the new chapter of her life. Shaq’s biological father, Joseph Toney, was never in the picture till O’Neal was in his forties. It was Odessa, her mother, to also taught her the important lesson which was to “pray.”

We all know Shaquille O’Neal came from a humble background and his grandmother would give him extra money to buy snacks. She also was the one who taught Dr. Lucille about the responsibility of being a parent. Which she did, first by graduating from high school, and then finding a job. Not to forget the effort of being a single parent to Shaq for the first six years of his life. She did enough, first on welfare and then on her humble salary.

Her childhood was tough too, with her parents separated, it was her grandparents who raised her. “My grandparents raised me with love through protection, warmth, and food on the table.” They even kicked her out when Lucille was pregnant at the age of 17. And Shaquille O’Neal knew every single bit of her life, as they are best friends. So, he made sure that all her dreams were taken care of.

Shaquille O’Neal was a pillar of support for Lucille’s next step

Despite the certain financial hardships, the Lakers legend was sure what he had to do when he became the NBA superstar. Even though his mother’s initial reluctance, Shaq was ready to fork out $800,000. The reason was very simple since she hardly owned any materialistic things. O’Neal bought her a house, and it did not stop there.

With Lucille not able to complete her education, all the children would support her in this decision. Apart from houses and cars, she wanted to focus on creating her own identity. In 1999, she enrolled at Bethune-Cookman College, and she never had to worry about paying for it. Because Shaquille O’Neal paid for her tuition.

Later she would also attain a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix, interestingly even Shaq pursued his MBA from the same university. So, first, her only focus was providing for her family and raising her children. Later, she was not afraid of the change and created her own identity as a philanthropist/author, Dr. Lucille O’Neal.

“Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.”