I’m writing this column during a sickle cell disease crisis. I have not had one this bad in a while, so I’ve been feeling pretty low. I recently explained to a friend that I hate feeling like I am helpless and wasting time whenever I have a crisis.
Her Sickled Journey — Tito Oye

Now that the summer months have passed, I find that it’s harder to forget that I have sickle cell disease. You may be thinking, “How can she ever forget that she has sickle cell?” Well, I never really forget, but there are times when looking after myself requires less…

I have been writing for Bionews, the publisher of Sickle Cell Disease News, for over a year now. This experience has been amazing, to say the least. When I was first contacted about becoming a columnist, I was skeptical. I questioned whether I would be good…
I hate when sickle cell disease gets in the way of life, although I feel its effects 24/7. There is no escaping the symptoms, such as fatigue and chronic pain, which are less intermittent than the pain crises. But most times I can live with it, I can…
On Nov. 9, Pfizer and BioNTech announced that their COVID-19 vaccine was found to be more than 90% effective in preventing people from contracting the novel coronavirus. On Nov. 16, Moderna announced their COVID-19 vaccine to have an efficacy of 94.5%. I had zero expectations for…
‘Disabled’ Is Not a Bad Word
“Disabled” is not a pejorative, but it definitely felt like one when I was growing up. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines disability as “any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain…
Preparing for Lockdown 2.0
COVID-19 cases are increasing again here in the U.K., and government officials can no longer prioritize improving the economy over protecting people’s health. Instead, they must acknowledge the toll the virus has taken on people and the pressure a high number of cases will place on the National…
I have felt pretty overwhelmed lately. After months of sheltering at home and being relatively inactive, I’ve suddenly taken on a ton of new responsibilities. I’m trying to get into the habit of having a busy schedule again and managing my time more effectively, but sometimes I feel like I’m…
One of my favorite features is my smile, and I find that in life, I have many things to smile about. I have very good people around me who provide an amazing support system, I have a home, I have a job, I live in a country that provides…
I share much about my journey with sickle cell disease on social media. I find it to be a handy tool in raising awareness, because it allows me to do so many things. For example, I can share facts about sickle cell disease, as well as details…
Friendships are beautiful and make life much more meaningful. I love being in the company of friends. They have been a blessing in many ways, especially when it comes to my health. For a long time, I didn’t talk to my friends about my health. I kept all my health…
Needing to go to the hospital due to a vaso-occlusive crisis is never ideal or pleasant. As a kid, the idea of going to the hospital was a nightmare to me. I never really understood the importance of seeking medical attention when I experienced a bad crisis, and I…
After many months of sheltering in place, or shielding, as we call it here in the U.K., the time finally came for me to leave my house for reasons unrelated to medical issues. The government had paused shielding requirements, but I had been committed to continuing my self-isolation indefinitely…
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