My mother-in-law is a firm believer in nature’s medications. Her faith in the healing power of plants stems from the lush soils of her Nigerian town, where she grows her food and medicine. Her way of living reflects her ideals, with the majority of her food coming straight from her…
Sickle Unshackled - a Column by Sylvia Amuta
The other day, my cousin Ada asked me a question that stopped me in my tracks. I’d known that she had some idea, maybe something like an overview, about her sickle cell illness. When she started living with me, she was a smart-mouthed 8-year-old, and now she’s approaching her…
As I sat in the sterile, fluorescent-lit room, a sense of determination and apprehension coursed through me. I wasn’t here for myself; I was here to donate blood for my little cousin, Ada, who was bravely battling sickle cell disease. The journey of being a caregiver for someone with…
Dear Future Caregiver, As I look back on the transformative journey I’ve embraced as a caregiver to a person with sickle cell disease — its ups and downs, joys and frustrations, and profound sense of purpose — I want to impart some invaluable insights I dearly wish I…
Sickle cell is an inherited disease that profoundly affects red blood cells, posing significant health challenges for those living with the condition. My cousin Ada has bravely confronted this hereditary disease, and together we’ve traversed its ups and downs. Among the many concerns we’ve learned to manage, one…
Over the years, especially since I got married and had kids, my focus has been primarily on others, rarely allowing me the chance to think selfishly. Now, as a dedicated caregiver to Ada, my little cousin with sickle cell disease, I’ve learned to prioritize her needs above my own.
As my little cousin Ada voiced her desire to take part in her school’s sports competition games, a surge of concern washed over me. Her recent recovery from malaria had left her in a delicate state, and the thought of her training rigorously during this time troubled me. I’ve…
In my previous column, I explored the overwhelming emotions and fatigue I experience as a caregiver to my young cousin with sickle cell disease. However, I didn’t share the invaluable strategies I’ve developed to cope with these challenges. Today, I aim to shed light on the methods I’ve…
When I embarked on this journey as a caregiver for my cousin Ada, who has sickle cell disease, I soon realized that this path, brimming with love and dedication, also presented an unseen battle: caregiver burnout. Following are some of the frequent challenges I’ve faced — and…
Being a caregiver for my cherished little cousin, who’s battling the physical and emotional challenges of sickle cell, is an enormous responsibility, both rewarding and sometimes completely overwhelming. Seeing her endure not only the difficulties of her illness, but also the callous cruelty of bullying at school is…
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