A last-minute trip required me to face my fears head-on
Sometimes it’s important to dive right in and conquer your fears. In 2018 and 2019, I suffered two major health events: a pulmonary embolism and a severe sickle cell crisis, which happened…
Shaniqua’s Sickle Chronicles
— Mary Shaniqua
Mary Shaniqua is a sickle cell patient (HbSS) living in the United Kingdom. She was diagnosed with sickle cell at 18 months old and uses “Shaniqua’s Sickle Chronicles” to narrate her experiences, to educate healthcare professionals, as well as empower and embolden other sickle cell patients. Mary Shaniqua is committed to raising awareness of sickle cell and its impact, with an aim to educate non-haematological specialist healthcare workers and the general public more widely on the life of a sickle cell patient.
Featured Post
How I keep sickle cell in mind when traveling to a cold climate
Traveling to cold climates with sickle cell disease can be daunting. Low temperatures can trigger a crisis, causing intense pain and discomfort. None of us want that. I recently returned from a…
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Here’s the truth about disability and employment
In the wake of the British government announcing recently that it plans to cut its welfare budget by more than £5 billion ($6.5 billion), I’ve noticed a shocking number of comments in mainstream and…
Forgive me if I don’t share the enthusiasm about a sickle cell cure
The date was Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. It started like any other day. As I settled down to start working, I noticed I had a lot of messages, and more came in as the…
Navigating sex and intimacy with a chronic illness like sickle cell disease
In a society that’s seemingly obsessed with sex and physical intimacy, you may be surprised to hear that there aren’t many resources available for those with chronic illness and physical limitations. So let’s talk…
How to provide practical support to a partner with sickle cell
Keeping with the theme of February, the month of love, I wanted to offer some practical tips for how to support a partner with sickle cell disease. The reality of living with a…
How to maintain a healthy romantic relationship with sickle cell disease
Because today is recognized as Valentine’s Day or “love day” across much of the globe, I want to explore the difficulties that can arise within romantic relationships when one partner has sickle cell…
Reminiscing about the old me as I look to the future
Here’s a feeling that I’m certain other sickle cell disease patients relate to, and who knows, perhaps their carers do, too: It’s astounding how much sickle cell can change the body over time.
How to be an ally to those of us with sickle cell disease
Sickle cell disease is highly misunderstood, and our patient community is acutely aware of this. One of the key lessons I’ve learned throughout my journey with this illness is the importance of…
The kindness of blood donors makes a world of difference in my life
I recently had my first blood transfusion of the year. It’s one of the most common treatments for sickle cell disease. Two types of transfusions are used to treat sickle cell patients:…
The challenges of navigating a sickle cell pain crisis in public
Sickle cell disease is a constant, annoying “companion” in my life. My list of grievances about the illness is never-ending, but one of the things I find most daunting is the disease’s unpredictable…
Sickle cell disease can take a toll on a person’s mental health, too
Living with sickle cell disease comes with a heavy cost. Much of your time is spent seeking to understand your body, how the condition impacts you as a person, and then adjusting your…
