Columns

Because sickle cell disease affects people differently, I’ve never met two people with the disease who have the same story. A quick Google search can introduce someone to the basics of sickle cell, such as its biology and common triggers, but understanding its differences and the ways it…

The pain from a sickle cell crisis is one of the most devastating things I have felt. It is unpredictable and can eat away at you physically, spiritually, and mentally. The normal response to severe pain is to cure it or ease it, which usually involves taking some type…

Every time I share about my son’s sickle cell disease diagnosis with other parents caring for children with the disease, the question I am always asked is, “Does your son take penicillin?” It’s such a common question that I feel I should share the answer with you, too. Before I…

In last week’s column, I wrote about ways to reduce the chance of catching a viral infection. I followed my own advice to the letter, yet I still managed to catch something. Just my luck. The past few days, I have had a sore throat, cough, chest…

I was recently diagnosed with avascular necrosis (AVN) in my knees. When the doctor called to tell me, I expected to be OK with it. I had read fellow Sickle Cell Disease News columnist Tito Oye’s column about AVN, felt similar symptoms, and conducted further research. I tend…

Well, summer in the U.K. seemed to last all of 2 seconds. Now we are back to colder weather, shorter days, and higher heating bills. As the colder seasons arrive, those of us with sickle cell disease need to be more intentional about looking after ourselves. The cold may expose…

I often underestimate how much I have learned about sickle cell over the years. To live with a chronic condition, one must understand all the symptoms and side effects that come with it. However, these lessons aren’t freely given — there isn’t a handbook for living with sickle cell. I…

I recently watched a film on Netflix called “Strain,” which depicts the life of a child with sickle cell disease. The film mentions that stroke is a symptom of sickle cell, which I don’t believe is widely known. To mark Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September, I have…

When my son was diagnosed with sickle cell disease 17 months ago, I thought constantly about what this might mean for our future. But I don’t think about it much these days, and that’s mainly because he hasn’t had any sickle cell crises or other related pain. Perhaps it’s…

We are in the middle of Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and I can look back on my time as a sickle cell advocate and feel extremely proud about how far we’ve come as a community. When I started raising awareness about sickle cell disease by sharing my…