Although approximately 1 in 6 people worldwide are living with a significant disability, the narrative that those of us with disabilities deserve less continues to be perpetuated. As a sickle cell disease patient, I know that stigma…
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I’m extremely passionate about raising awareness of sickle cell disease. That probably comes as no surprise, considering I have the condition and write a patient column focused on precisely that! Still, I like to imagine how greater…
I recently suffered a sickle cell crisis while on a trip to Jamaica, which was particularly difficult because my partner was also ill. I was in an unfamiliar location, and the pain was far worse than usual.
Is there a worse feeling than when someone you love is unwell and you can’t help them? Because I have sickle cell disease, my immune system is compromised. This means I can catch illnesses easily. When I do…
At the end of each year, it seems like everyone and their dog publishes a round-up on social media of all the wonderful things they experienced in the previous 12 months. It’s great, as I love hearing about the…
It was the evening of Nov. 17. I’d finished work and was going about my usual evening activities when my mum called to catch up. She asked if I’d heard the news of an apparent cure for sickle…
Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with opioids and alternative forms of pain relief. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. Unfortunately, as winter descends…
On Sunday, Oct. 29, daylight saving time ended here in the U.K., meaning we set our clocks back one hour. In the week leading up to this, we experienced a sudden drop in temperature. It’s still dark in the…
It’s no secret, especially for those who read this website, that one of the main symptoms of sickle cell disease is a vaso-occlusive crisis. When I say I’m experiencing one of those, what thoughts come to mind?…
Why does everything have to be a fight? I ask this because the past few weeks have been frustratingly difficult for me. I recently had to drive to a different county to sort something out. On the way back,…
In popular culture, self-care often seems to be equated with indulgence or luxury, such as spa visits, retail therapy, or fine dining. But I believe this perception is flawed, and that buying into it does people a disservice. Essentially,…
As most of us know, sickle cell can be a debilitating disease. I’ve been diagnosed with it since I was 18 months old, yet it still causes me much pain, agony, and difficulty. I have trouble making…
It was a warm morning in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, early this year, and I’d just woken up. I rolled over, picked up my phone, and undertook my usual checks before proceeding with my day. While I was scrolling, my…
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