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.
Sickle cell disease doesn’t only affect people physically; it can also result in social stigma, which occurs in schools, workplaces, healthcare settings, and even within families. At the core of sickle cell stigma lies the term “sickler.” While…
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Pain and anemia seem to be the loud hallmarks of sickle cell disease. Because many patients and caregivers prioritize addressing the challenges posed by these issues, they tend to overlook infections. But despite their quieter nature, infections…
Living with sickle cell disease presents unique challenges that can impact various aspects of one’s life, including romantic relationships. The experiences of those with sickle cell disease vary greatly, which affects how each of us approaches and…
Living with sickle cell disease for nearly 38 years has taken me through various phases: an initial phase of cluelessness about sickle cell complications, a phase marked by fear of those potential complications, and the current phase,…
As a survivor of sickle cell challenges and a passionate advocate for sickle cell disease prevention and a cure, if I were put under duress to choose between prevention and a cure, I would prioritize prevention, despite many…
In people with sickle cell disease, episodes of pain are often referred to as sickle cell crises and can lead to frequent hospitalizations. These crises may be precipitated by various triggers. As I matured, I became…
Growing up, health professionals and others often told me I didn’t look like a sickle cell patient. Their remarks left me wondering what was so unusual about my appearance and what I was expected to look like as…
Christmas has grown beyond its origins as a Christian celebration of Jesus’ birth. It now unites communities and fosters a sense of togetherness across cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, and geographical locations. The unique culture of Christmas, with its twinkling…
Disability carries a strong stigma, and there’s widespread global ignorance about its meaning. While many associate disability solely with physical or mental impairments, the true definition encompasses…
In the past, I would eagerly anticipate news of drug approvals for the management of sickle cell disease. The potential of new medications usually offered a glimmer of hope for sickle cell patients like me. The possibility that…
Having a child with sickle cell disease can prompt many emotions for parents, particularly guilt. In this column, I’ll discuss some of the factors that contribute to this type of guilt and provide guidance on how to cope…
Sickle cell disease, as most of you readers know, is a group of genetic blood disorders characterized by chronic anemia, acute and chronic pain, organ damage, and a possibly reduced life expectancy. But despite the virulence of…
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