In my 39 years with sickle cell disease, pain has been an uninvited and frequent guest and my most prominent symptom. Sickle cell crises are acute episodes of pain caused by the sickling of red blood cells, which impairs blood flow throughout the body. While I’ve had countless painful episodes…
The Sickle Cell Crusader — Oluwatosin Adesoye
Adesoye Oluwatosin is a practicing physician, a passionate and award-winning sickle cell advocate, and educator. She’s the founder of Sickle Cell Celebs, an online community for people living with sickle cell disease, and of Sicklelive Foundation, an NGO that caters to people living with sickle cell disease. She’s a Nigerian diagnosed with sickle cell anemia (HBSS) in 1987 when she was just 1 year old. She enjoys using her personal and medical experience to educate and create awareness about sickle cell disease and also help reduce health inequalities in its management. She’s called “The Sickle Cell Crusader.” Her column promises to be expository, educative, and compelling.
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Note: This column discusses suicidal ideation. Resources for help are listed at the end of the column. Growing up, I was a happy-go-lucky child. I was always in a good mood and rarely cried. I believed depression would never find me until sickle cell disease said, “Hold my beer.” Depression…
The challenges of living with a physical disability in a society that is not inclusive can be overwhelming. Sickle cell disease causes both visible and invisible disabilities, and as someone who experiences both, I have faced countless difficulties. I have discussed the struggles of living with invisible disabilities, but…
Sickle cell disease presents a range of complications, some of which are visible while others are invisible. For the first two decades of my life, I only dealt with invisible complications, which allowed me to keep my challenges private. However, as I entered my early 20s, the visible complications…
I write today to express my sincere appreciation for the care and love doctors, nurses, and all health professionals show to people with sickle cell disease. They are such remarkable caregivers. Where would we warriors be without their help? They are truly indispensable. However, as a healthcare professional living…
I have always been a passionate advocate for sickle cell disease prevention, sometimes even prioritizing it over advocating for a cure. I envision a world where no child has to suffer the complications and pain of the disease, although realistically, I don’t see that happening yet. Most of the…
How quickly time flies! I can hardly believe I’ve nearly completed another trip around the sun. It feels like only yesterday I was penning my thoughts for my 38th birthday column. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude that the warrior in me continues to prevail. I’ve survived another year, working toward…
Having a big or protruding abdomen is a common habitus or symptom of sickle cell disease. It’s something I’ve dealt with personally throughout my life and I understand how it can impact not only our physical appearance, but affect us psychologically and emotionally too. I have always…
Over the years, I’ve used my voice as a sickle cell disease warrior, advocate, and health professional to point out the shortcomings of the government, the public, and the healthcare system when it comes to the worsening of sickle cell morbidity and mortality. But today, I need to turn…
The past month has been incredibly difficult for me. I lost two close sickle cell warriors in a short time, which has been both heartbreaking and shocking. One of the hardest parts of running a sickle cell support group is experiencing this kind of…
Dating and relationships can be complicated for anyone, but for those living with sickle cell disease, they present even greater challenges. My experience — and that of many other sickle cell warriors I know — has shown me how vital it is to be with a partner who understands…
Whenever I’m asked to list the symptoms of sickle cell disease (SCD), I am always confused about where to begin. The condition is fundamentally a blood disorder, and every organ needs a steady supply of blood to survive. As a result, SCD can affect virtually any part of the…
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