I recently had the first-ever MRI scan of my brain, not something I ever expected. Getting an MRI came up during one of my routine sickle cell disease checkups, appointments I usually have every six months. As the doctor reviewed my medical history, she noticed something important. Here…
Sickle Sagas — Dunstan Nicol-Wilson
Dunstan Nicol-Wilson is a clinical project manager from South East London, United Kingdom. Dunstan has his master’s in public health with a global health focus. Dunstan was diagnosed with the “invisible disorder” sickle cell disease from birth in 1993. He hopes that his column will raise awareness for this disease, encourage others to share their stories, and showcase all the ups and downs of living with a rare condition. Dunstan loves anime, cooking, and Manchester United.
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One of my most important takeaways from therapy is the idea of building a body of evidence — proof that things can go well, and that my fears don’t always predict my reality. This applies to many areas of my life, but most recently to my relationship with cold weather,…
As the new year begins, I’ve been reflecting deeply on all that happened in 2025. Living with sickle cell disease has never been easy, but last year marked a decisive shift for me. For the first time in a long while, I stopped allowing the condition to dictate every…
Communication is necessary for any relationship to form, whether it’s platonic or romantic. The more I experience different types of relationships, the more I realize how pivotal communication is in maintaining their health. One of the most challenging times for me to communicate is during a sickle cell disease…
Sickle cell disease is classified as a rare condition. Yet, for a long time, that was hard for me to believe, especially during my teenage years. Growing up in South London, a city with a large Black African population, I never felt that sickle cell disease was rare; it…
As I’ve grown older with sickle cell disease, I’ve come to appreciate the incredible community that’s emerged. This network connects us, amplifies our voices, and gives us a platform to share our experiences. I’ve been fortunate to meet some amazing sickle cell warriors who’ve helped deepen my understanding of…
Ten years ago, I signed up for a personal training session without telling the trainer I had sickle cell disease. He had no idea about my condition or my limits, so the workout was intense. I pushed through, but afterward I was violently sick and bedridden for days. I…
I’ve shared reflections from three days after my last sickle cell pain crisis, and then again a month later. Now, four months on, I find myself in a completely different place physically, mentally, and emotionally. But can I say I’m still recovering? It doesn’t feel like it…
Part of my coping mechanism after a sickle cell crisis is to forget it ever happened. To address that, this year I started an audio journal during the recovery process as a way to self-assess where I was and note how recovery tracks for me days after a crisis.
As I mark four years of writing for Sickle Cell Disease News, I find myself reflecting on the journey with a deep sense of gratitude and humility. It’s incredible to think back to when I started. I was unsure of what I’d write about week after week, and yet…
In honor of World Sickle Cell Day, held June 19, I would like to highlight some incredible U.K.-based organizations I’ve had the pleasure of working with recently. These groups are not only changing the narrative of what it means to live with sickle cell disease, but they’re also challenging…
I’m a big advocate for giving myself time to recover after a sickle cell pain crisis. After my last crisis, however, I severely underestimated how long this process would take. It’s been two months now, and I’m finally able to return to everything I enjoy. I recognize myself again.
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