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I turned 31 on Aug. 20, 2020. That’s 31 years as a sickle cell patient, and what a journey it has been so far! As sickle cell patients, we are often exposed to all sorts of negative comments and stigmas surrounding the condition. So, I want to use my…

Death always is a sobering thing to process. Hearing about someone’s untimely passing — whether the person was close to us or not — reminds us of life’s fickle nature.  We recently heard the sad news of actor Chadwick Boseman’s passing at the age of 43. Boseman…

Looking at my diagnosis in a positive light doesn’t come naturally to me. I usually view my health as a disadvantage, and I used to expect others to do the same. I think this expectation stemmed from the many times I was unable to do something well or…

In the U.K., the National Health Service maintains a medical exemption list with conditions that entitle patients to free prescriptions. This is a wonderful concept that relieves some of the financial pressures of healthcare costs that many people might otherwise face. Without this vital service, people would…

Life can change so unexpectedly, especially when dealing with the unpredictability of sickle cell. Sometimes we have to warm up to the idea of rolling with the punches.  What does it mean to roll with the punches? In fighting, rolling with the punches refers to how…

Have you ever informed somebody of your diagnosis and found their response to be a little annoying? I often have. I try to extend grace in such situations because usually people don’t know what to say and, as such, speak without considering the ramifications. With that in mind, here are…

In the U.K., approximately 15,000 people have sickle cell disorder and approximately 240,000 have the sickle cell trait. Despite these high numbers, I only meet someone who knows about sickle cell once in a blue moon. One time I met a guy with sickle cell at my friend’s church. Speaking…

During this period I have heard a lot of people complain about unwanted weight gain, but it is the opposite in my case. I have been losing a lot of weight and it took me a while to notice. When I think about all the possible explanations,…

I recently spoke to a mother who gave birth to a child with sickle cell. The diagnosis was not expected at all. The news completely rocked her world. That’s understandable, as sickle cell results in huge lifestyle changes that a parent needs to accommodate. I imagine it is…

Living in lockdown the past few months has been quite an experience. If you had asked me before the pandemic if I could stay indoors for 12 weeks and go out only for hospital appointments, I would have told you it was impossible. But here I am, well…