How I Try to Avoid a Cold Weather Pain Crisis
Winter has finally arrived here in the U.K. I really dislike the winter, in case you didn’t know. One of my biggest sickle cell disease crisis triggers is cold weather. Although sickle…
Shaniqua’s Sickle Chronicles
— Mary Shaniqua
Mary Shaniqua is a sickle cell patient (HbSS) living in the United Kingdom. She was diagnosed with sickle cell at 18 months old and uses “Shaniqua’s Sickle Chronicles” to narrate her experiences, to educate healthcare professionals, as well as empower and embolden other sickle cell patients. Mary Shaniqua is committed to raising awareness of sickle cell and its impact, with an aim to educate non-haematological specialist healthcare workers and the general public more widely on the life of a sickle cell patient.
Featured Post
I didn’t miss the irony of Invisible Disabilities Week going unnoticed
I learned almost by accident that last week was Invisible Disabilities Week. I had no idea such a week even existed, which says something about the invisibility of disabilities in our society. The…
Read more
Will Sickle Cell Inquiry in UK Improve Patient Care?
Last Monday, I awoke to a flurry of comments about the results of a landmark sickle cell inquiry here in the U.K. that uncovered evidence of racism in sickle cell patient care in…
The Relationship Between My Menstrual Cycle and Sickle Cell Disease
I wrote about feeling unwell without any apparent cause in September, and then again last month. So, guess what? I was recently sick again. But in my quest for silver linings, I…
Sick, and Sick of Keeping Notes About Being Sick
I was unwell for a week in August. It began with deep lethargy. After about two days of that, the vomiting started. Everything made me vomit: brushing my teeth, drinking water, nibbling food.
When Getting Used to Chronic Pain Becomes a Problem
I have a difficult time knowing when I’m not feeling well apart from when I have a severe illness. That sounds ridiculous, right? Because I have a chronic condition, someone might think I would…
The Hidden Danger From Strokes in Sickle Cell Disease
I recently watched a film on Netflix called “Strain,” which depicts the life of a child with sickle cell disease. The film mentions that stroke is a symptom of sickle cell, which I…
We Need More Awareness of Aplastic Crises
When a sickle cell patient mentions a crisis, most people think of a painful, vaso-occlusive crisis. I can understand why — it’s by far one of the most common complications of sickle cell…
Celebrating Another Birthday With Gratitude
Today is my birthday. When I was born, the life expectancy of sickle cell patients in the U.K. was 10 years old. It was worse in Nigeria, at 5 years old, which is why…
Why I Sought Therapy With a Trained Psychologist
People often tell me that I make living with sickle cell disease look easy. It is not. Whenever people make these types of comments, I always think that because I was born this way,…
My Concerns as COVID-19 Restrictions Are Lifted in the UK
Most COVID-19 restriction laws were lifted in England on July 19. This includes mask requirements, social distancing rules, work-from-home guidance, and the rule of six, or the maximum number of people allowed at…
Why I’m Open About My Experiences With Sickle Cell
One of the many stereotypes of British people is that we can be extremely reserved. In many places in the world, it is common for people to greet one another on the street each…
For World Sickle Cell Day, Read About My Reality
World Sickle Cell Day is upon us tomorrow, June 19. Following are memories that illustrate sickle cell’s ugly grip on my reality. *** The year was 2018 and the British Society…
