Her Sickled Journey – a Column by Tito Oye

lockdown, overwhelmed, friend, hospital, happiness

Tito is a 23-year-old London-based tenancy manager and lover of life. For as long as she can remember, she’s had a passion for helping others. She writes to help others realize that sickle cell doesn’t need to define their entire identity.

Sickle Cell Disease Is an Inseparable Part of My Identity

Many people with chronic illnesses may agree with a common statement that “our illnesses do not define us.” I understand that some believe their illnesses don’t change who they are. They can still live a meaningful, successful, and fulfilling life despite dealing with an illness. However, I disagree with that…

When Health Crises Strike, We Must Focus on Healing

Unfortunately, the healing process is not always as straightforward as we’d like it to be. In fact, it can become quite exhausting and frustrating. For example, perhaps after feeling unwell for some time due to an illness such as sickle cell disease, a person’s body may start to…

I Struggled to Take My Meds — Until It Affected My Pocketbook

In 2005, my doctors started me on a medication called hydroxycarbamide, also known as hydroxyurea, or “hydra.” It was prescribed to help me manage the symptoms of sickle cell disease. Many people with sickle cell disease use hydroxycarbamide. Before my care plan changed to regular exchange transfusions, I used…

Should You Blog About Your Health Journey?

Recently, a fellow sickle cell warrior messaged me on Instagram to ask if I thought they should document their health journey by starting a blog. This is something I will never discourage. I started publicly sharing my health journey with a blog,…

Finding Sickle Cell Awareness in Unexpected Places

I have a lot of pride when it comes to my general knowledge. I think I am a great person to have on your team when playing board games like Articulate and other general quizzes. You can trust me, I’m not being biased in the slightest. As a kid,…

What Playing Football Made Me Realize About Myself

For the first time in my life, I played a game of football, or soccer as it’s called in the U.S., with my friends. Was it tiring? Absolutely! Was it fun? Extremely, and I would certainly do it again.  I’ve watched my fair share of football…

My Views About Exercise Changed as I Grew Older

Sickle cell disease and exercise were antonyms for me growing up. I was raised with the view that they do not go hand in hand. My parents saw how vigorous activity adversely affected my health, so they discouraged it. From primary school to secondary school, I would hand…