Last week, I did something I never thought I would do. It’s something that people with sickle cell disease are strongly advised against doing. But it also has redefined my abilities and defied the limitations I once imposed on myself. My friends and I took part in a 10-mile…
It’s summertime, my favorite season here in the U.K. Summer brings great music, good vibes, and no crises! Sigh, I wish. I love summer weather because one of my main triggers for a sickle cell crisis is the cold. Unfortunately, in the U.K., summer isn’t consistent in terms of…
Most COVID-19 restriction laws were lifted in England on July 19. This includes mask requirements, social distancing rules, work-from-home guidance, and the rule of six, or the maximum number of people allowed at a social gathering. July 19 has been dubbed “Freedom Day” here in the U.K., but I…
I can barely watch five minutes of television before an advertisement for a new vegan food pops up. They’re even more frequent on social media, as every other photo I see seems to be sponsored content for mock meats, protein powders, or a vegan version of a dairy product. Don’t…
When speaking to a person with a chronic illness, you might do and say things with the best of intentions, but sometimes it may not translate well. Following are some of the things I don’t like to hear. Apologies Sometimes when I tell someone I have sickle cell disease, they’ll…
COVID-19 restrictions are easing here in the U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said we must “learn to live with this virus,” and he is lifting laws requiring masks and social distancing. It feels like the first real step toward a life after the unanticipated pandemic, though I can’t help…
It’s one thing to deal with the emotional and psychological trauma that comes with a chronic illness diagnosis, and it’s another thing entirely to navigate the treatment, or more specifically, the management plan that comes with it. I know medical doctors mean the best, or at least I want to…
With a chronic condition like sickle cell disease, I sometimes find it difficult to look far into the future. What exactly will my future be like? Will there be more hospital trips? More pain? More sadness? Reflecting on my origin story in a previous column prompted me to question…
One of the many stereotypes of British people is that we can be extremely reserved. In many places in the world, it is common for people to greet one another on the street each morning. This is rare in the U.K., specifically in the southern part of the nation. If…
The trouble with sickle cell disease is that it’s challenging to determine which end of the severity spectrum a person might fall on. A person with sickle cell might do everything correctly — drink water, keep warm, take their medication, get enough rest — and still have severe crises. On…
Get regular updates to your inbox.