What Parents of Children With Sickle Cell Should Know
Last week, I was privileged to facilitate a discussion between two mothers who have children with sickle cell disease. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for a parent to see…
Sickle Sagas — Dunstan Nicol-Wilson
Dunstan Nicol-Wilson is a clinical project manager from South East London, United Kingdom. Dunstan has his master’s in public health with a global health focus. Dunstan was diagnosed with the “invisible disorder” sickle cell disease from birth in 1993. He hopes that his column will raise awareness for this disease, encourage others to share their stories, and showcase all the ups and downs of living with a rare condition. Dunstan loves anime, cooking, and Manchester United.
Featured Post
This World Sickle Cell Day, I’m grateful for UK advocacy groups
In honor of World Sickle Cell Day, held June 19, I would like to highlight some incredible U.K.-based organizations I’ve had the pleasure of working with recently. These groups are not only changing the…
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My Career Was Shaped by Sickle Cell
I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing people who have given me the space to grow and develop. These experiences have been invaluable, and as a manager, I’ve been sharing them with…
With Sickle Cell Disease, Exercise Is a Double-edged Sword
The constant pandemic lockdowns and quarantines in the past two years caused me to put on a considerable amount of what I call “quarantine weight.” My fitness levels dropped below my standard,…
Should I Leave My Safe Space?
In the past, whenever I had a sickle cell crisis, I often felt like I’d made a mistake. It was my fault that I’d triggered the episode. Thoughts such as “Why did I…
My Support Network Is More Than an Audience During a Crisis
I’ve often considered myself unlucky to carry the burden of sickle cell disease, which sometimes seems insurmountable. The journey can be isolating. I have aches and pains that nobody can see and emotions I’m still…
Want to Have Children Without Sickle Cell? Think Through the Options
Every year on my Twitter feed, I see a tweet about how important it is to know your genotype, as well as your partner’s. I agree with the rationale for this; it’s important…
Telling a Potential Partner That I Have Sickle Cell Disease
The dating scene has shifted significantly in recent years. It’s common nowadays to meet people online through social media or dating apps. Virtual dating allows someone to create a profile that showcases their best…
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Hydroxyurea Treatment
Several decisions I make regarding my health are weighed up and thought out on a finely balanced scale. A sickle cell crisis can happen at any moment, so doing what I can…
Why I Started Advocating for Blood Donations
As someone with sickle cell disease, I’m very passionate about blood donations because this selfless act of kindness can change a person’s life, or even save it. Many donations go toward blood transfusions,…
My Journey to Self-acceptance With Sickle Cell
Advocating for the sickle cell disease community means drawing on my experiences to help communicate the issues its members are facing, and to attract, engage, and educate a general audience. But this takes a…
I Don’t Need a Reminder of My Life Expectancy With Sickle Cell Disease
As a sickle cell advocate, a key skill I’ve had to learn is patience. I need patience to listen, to understand, and to let go of negativity. Early in my advocacy journey, I was…
My Goals for This Year’s Sickle Cell Journey
A new year often means a fresh start, with new goals, habits, and challenges. For the past few years, to help me better focus, I’ve been writing a list of goals I want to…
