Sylvia Amuta, Sickle Cell Columnist —

When Ada, my cousin with sickle cell disease, came home from school one day filled with excitement, I couldn’t help but wonder what had happened. She shared that she’d made a new friend in her class and that they’d become quite close. My attention was piqued when Ada, whom…

New Year’s resolutions were never really my thing. In the past, my attempts often fizzled out quickly — like the gym membership that gathered dust by February. To avoid disappointment, I swapped out strict goals for a list of hopeful, more gentle aspirations. This year, topping that list was a…

My mother-in-law is a firm believer in nature’s medications. Her faith in the healing power of plants stems from the lush soils of her Nigerian town, where she grows her food and medicine. Her way of living reflects her ideals, with the majority of her food coming straight from her…

The other day, my cousin Ada asked me a question that stopped me in my tracks. I’d known that she had some idea, maybe something like an overview, about her sickle cell illness. When she started living with me, she was a smart-mouthed 8-year-old, and now she’s approaching her…

As I sat in the sterile, fluorescent-lit room, a sense of determination and apprehension coursed through me. I wasn’t here for myself; I was here to donate blood for my little cousin, Ada, who was bravely battling sickle cell disease. The journey of being a caregiver for someone with…

Dear Future Caregiver, As I look back on the transformative journey I’ve embraced as a caregiver to a person with sickle cell disease — its ups and downs, joys and frustrations, and profound sense of purpose — I want to impart some invaluable insights I dearly wish I…

Sickle cell is an inherited disease that profoundly affects red blood cells, posing significant health challenges for those living with the condition. My cousin Ada has bravely confronted this hereditary disease, and together we’ve traversed its ups and downs. Among the many concerns we’ve learned to manage, one…

Over the years, especially since I got married and had kids, my focus has been primarily on others, rarely allowing me the chance to think selfishly. Now, as a dedicated caregiver to Ada, my little cousin with sickle cell disease, I’ve learned to prioritize her needs above my own.

As my little cousin Ada voiced her desire to take part in her school’s sports competition games, a surge of concern washed over me. Her recent recovery from malaria had left her in a delicate state, and the thought of her training rigorously during this time troubled me. I’ve…

In my previous column, I explored the overwhelming emotions and fatigue I experience as a caregiver to my young cousin with sickle cell disease. However, I didn’t share the invaluable strategies I’ve developed to cope with these challenges. Today, I aim to shed light on the methods I’ve…