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A few weeks ago, I was in excruciating pain in the dead of the night. I’m not one to disturb others when I’m in pain unless it’s severe and I need help to manage it. This night was one of those exceptions, and I had to reluctantly wake up my…

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 day went on. Message after message, phone call after phone call alerted me about a supposed…

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 about it. Sickle cell disease is one of many conditions that can affect physical intimacy.

Some of my childhood memories still linger. I vividly remember, for instance, the lonely nights spent in my bed while struggling with a painfully distended abdomen, a discomfort extreme enough to take away many nights of sleep. My bed was in the same room as my parents, yet I was…

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 chronic illness is that things may not always go well, as the condition can be unpredictable.

Living with sickle cell disease comes with challenges, such as pain crises that can set a patient back days, weeks, or even months. The mental and physical toll can be immense. Because February is often associated with love, I’ve been reflecting on how facing setbacks with sickle cell can…

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 disease. (Fun fact: Many parts of the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrate Saint Valentine on…

Hydration plays a vital role in the management of sickle cell disease. It offers numerous benefits, including enhanced blood flow, and can help prevent or treat sickle cell crises and other disease complications. Sickle cell is a genetic disorder that alters the shape and structure of red blood cells.

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. I know I say it often, but honestly, it feels like the disease has its own…

Richard Bayliss is 44 years old and has sickle cell disease with hemoglobin SS disease. He’s in the final year of a master’s degree in education, culture, and society at a university in London. He also works part time as a community support worker helping vulnerable adults and those…