What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You: From A Sickle Cell Caregiver

I've taken my pain and turned it into a big part of my purpose. Learning I was a sickle cell trait carrier came out from the shadows. Honestly, I had never heard the term before. The more I inquired, it felt like something people wanted me to whisper about behind closed doors. However, I refused to whisper. Instead, whenever I receive the chance to discuss sickle cell trait I speak freely about it, and I happily welcome conversations about sickle cell disease. Advocacy gave me the power I needed to feel like I could play a part in re-writing history. And take the present moment, future, and hopes into my own hands. Advocacy feels like a gift that I can present my daughter with in the future. Then let her know that I've done everything I can to better her life as a sickle cell patient. As a result, I write sickle cell children's books to help parents explain this complex disease to their children, family members, and friends so others will better understand sickle cell and how it impacts families as a whole.