First in a series. If you’ve read my recent columns, you’ll know I’ve been in a really good place with my health as someone with sickle cell disease. I credit a lot of that to the work I’ve been putting in at the gym to strengthen my body.
Sickle Sagas – a Column by Dunstan Nicol-Wilson
Having a remote job has been a game-changer for me as someone with sickle cell disease. I’m better able to manage my health — no rushed mornings, cold commutes, or physical strain. I can plan my day to suit my body, whether that means resting, going to the gym,…
As the season shifts from winter to spring, I’ve found myself reflecting deeply on what this past winter has meant for me. Historically, winter has been the hardest part of my journey with sickle cell disease, marked by crisis flare-ups, increased pain, and a constant awareness of…
One of my most important takeaways from therapy is the idea of building a body of evidence — proof that things can go well, and that my fears don’t always predict my reality. This applies to many areas of my life, but most recently to my relationship with cold weather,…
I recently had the first-ever MRI scan of my brain, not something I ever expected. Getting an MRI came up during one of my routine sickle cell disease checkups, appointments I usually have every six months. As the doctor reviewed my medical history, she noticed something important. Here…
As the new year begins, I’ve been reflecting deeply on all that happened in 2025. Living with sickle cell disease has never been easy, but last year marked a decisive shift for me. For the first time in a long while, I stopped allowing the condition to dictate every…
Communication is necessary for any relationship to form, whether it’s platonic or romantic. The more I experience different types of relationships, the more I realize how pivotal communication is in maintaining their health. One of the most challenging times for me to communicate is during a sickle cell disease…
Sickle cell disease is classified as a rare condition. Yet, for a long time, that was hard for me to believe, especially during my teenage years. Growing up in South London, a city with a large Black African population, I never felt that sickle cell disease was rare; it…
As I’ve grown older with sickle cell disease, I’ve come to appreciate the incredible community that’s emerged. This network connects us, amplifies our voices, and gives us a platform to share our experiences. I’ve been fortunate to meet some amazing sickle cell warriors who’ve helped deepen my understanding of…
Ten years ago, I signed up for a personal training session without telling the trainer I had sickle cell disease. He had no idea about my condition or my limits, so the workout was intense. I pushed through, but afterward I was violently sick and bedridden for days. I…
Recent Posts
- Gene-editing therapy frees first trial participant from SCD symptoms
- Why I refused to stay silent about my sickle cell disease
- Stem cell transplant for SCD beats gene therapy on cost: Study
- Fulcrum scraps sickle cell drug after FDA raises safety concerns
- Elevated levels of hormone EPO tied to risk of blood clots in SCD: Large study
- Use of disease-modifying therapies on the rise in SCD: US study
- Reflections on grief, loss, and a philosophy of life with sickle cell
- Higher vitamin A linked to better lung function in sickle cell anemia
- Attending graduate school with sickle cell disease requires balance
- New off-the-shelf gene editing may treat sickle cell without transplant