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.

When the Ground Beneath Me Starts to Move

As a child, the ground seemed like a sure thing. It was reliable and unshakeable, no matter how hard I jumped on it and no matter what I dropped. You can imagine my surprise when I learned about earthquakes. I couldn’t believe that something as strong, solid, and firm as…

Finding Comfort Among Other Sickle Cell Patients

Yesterday, I was reminded why it’s so beneficial to talk with other people in the sickle cell community. Producers from the YouTube channel Make It Common asked me to participate in an episode about sickle cell disease. They invited five people with the condition, including fellow Sickle Cell Disease…

You Should Be Your Biggest Advocate for Quality Care

As a child growing up with sickle cell disease, constant trips to the hospital gave me the perception that the doctors and nurses in charge of my care were superhuman, and they always provided me with quality care. It seemed there was no issue they couldn’t fix. I…

People Experience Sickle Cell Disease Differently

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…