#facesofsicklecell

Have you lost a job due to sickle cell? “I was working as a nursing assistant and my job was fully aware of my health condition, sickle cell disease. Initially, they told me they were willing to accommodate my condition; however when I went into a crisis, I wasn’t able to go into work for a week. I was put on probation. When I returned, I was given the option to get “laid off” or to just leave the job. I chose to leave because this wasn’t the first time I encountered having to choose between work and my health.” @pretty_littl3_thing #facesofsicklecell #YKYHSCW #sicklecell101 ------------------------------ For a trusted resource on this topic visit @onescdvoice (link in bio) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoPZ3yfA0P3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7icpfsclrcdz

Siblings Kyle and Michelle both battle sickle beta thalassemia. Kyle, the oldest, loves to watch sports and interested in drafting. Michelle, the youngest, enjoys drawing, painting and ceramics. They are of Italian descent. #SickleCell101 #FacesOfSickleCell #sicklecell

“Having lived with sickle cell disease for over 74 years, my experiences have been broad. The plight of sickle cell patients will not get any better unless there is a greater understanding by others of what we endure. Initially I wrote “Living With Sickle Cell Disease: The Struggle to Survive” in hopes it would sufficiently educate others about this disease, yet when I continued to receive the same questions and comments about this disease, I realized that I needed to target a larger population. Thus, two additional books were created: “Living With Sickle Cell Disease: The Inside Story” and to accompany it, “The Inside Story Curriculum Development Guide” (for Teachers) These books are align with the Common Core Standards and can be purchased on amazon.com. I would challenge families impacted by this disease to purchase a copy of these books, read them, and then donate them to their local high school or library. This would be the perfect opportunity to discuss with the principal the value of educating their staff and students about this disease.” #SickleCell101 #FacesOfSickleCell #sicklecell

“My first show was in 2013, and what significant about this show was that I competed despite being in pain. It started during the week before the competition. When it hit I knew what it was right away. I was in full pain crisis mode. I remember thinking to myself, “Wow, all that work I put in for my first show, and now I may not make the show.” The day of the show comes around and I'm still having a pain crisis. I man up enough to block out the pain and I hit the stage. Three shows later I won my very first show in the masters division. The following year and won masters and two open classes.” - @james_godsson_allen #SickleCell101 #FacesOfSickleCell #sicklecell

These are the #FacesOfSickleCell in our #WorldSickleCellDay Collage! 💪🏾💪🏼  #WorldSickleCellDay #WSCD #SickleCellAwareness #SickleCell101  Reposted from @sicklecell101 - https://www.instagram.com/p/By6XTFQATJO/?igshid=z2qgnsp3ovlo

#SickleCellAwarenessMonth . . . . . . #Repost @sicklecell101 ・・・ Has sickle cell messed up a date? “Back in July, I went on a date that I’m surprised didn’t scare the poor guy away. We started off at a nice restaurant, dinner and drinks were served and we connected pretty well. After dinner we went dancing and in the middle of enjoying my time with him, I went to the restroom to catch my breath and cool down a bit, so I didn’t look so oily and distressed. By the time I came out of the restroom he could tell my entire mood was just different. I told him I wasn’t feeling well and needed to go. By the time he pulled his car up, I could barely get in. The look on his face, was priceless. He had a panicked look on his face like, “oh man what did I do to this girl?” He asked me what was wrong and I replied that I was fine even though I wasn’t. I started to sob and he asked me what was wrong again, in a more serious tone. I admitted to him I had sickle cell disease and I told him I was sure he didn’t know anything about it. He looked at me in shock and told me his best friend died from sickle cell complications. At that moment he rushed me to the hospital. I just continued to cry not only because I was in pain, but also because I was embarrassed. I was in the ER with a man I barely knew, but luckily he was such a gentleman. I didn’t scare him off. We actually went on other dates since that incident.” @_brianabalenciaga #facesofsicklecell #YKYHSCW #sicklecell101 ------------------------------ For a trusted resource on this topic visit @oneSCDvoice (link in bio) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoNFvCYn9m8zGKriJAouf_-V20BquI1z9Qydnk0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1fep81cviin9v

Has sickle cell messed up a date? “Back in July, I went on a date that I’m surprised didn’t scare the poor guy away. We started off at a nice restaurant, dinner and drinks were served and we connected pretty well. After dinner we went dancing and in the middle of enjoying my time with him, I went to the restroom to catch my breath and cool down a bit, so I didn’t look so oily and distressed. By the time I came out of the restroom he could tell my entire mood was just different. I told him I wasn’t feeling well and needed to go. By the time he pulled his car up, I could barely get in. The look on his face, was priceless. He had a panicked look on his face like, “oh man what did I do to this girl?” He asked me what was wrong and I replied that I was fine even though I wasn’t. I started to sob and he asked me what was wrong again, in a more serious tone. I admitted to him I had sickle cell disease and I told him I was sure he didn’t know anything about it. He looked at me in shock and told me his best friend died from sickle cell complications. At that moment he rushed me to the hospital. I just continued to cry not only because I was in pain, but also because I was embarrassed. I was in the ER with a man I barely knew, but luckily he was such a gentleman. I didn’t scare him off. We actually went on other dates since that incident.” @_brianabalenciaga #facesofsicklecell #YKYHSCW #sicklecell101 ------------------------------ For a trusted resource on this topic visit @oneSCDvoice (link in bio) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoM_ym1ARZE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1903zmk1rsk8y

Saladin’s mom says, “He loves his nurses. They make him feel comfortable. They are very patient with him as he recently began blood transfusion treatments on a monthly basis.” Saladin’s mom says transfusions have made the difference; less hospital stays and less #sicklecell pain crises. #YKYHSCW #facesofsicklecell #sicklecell101 https://www.instagram.com/p/BoKQEOYg1Tj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mh1zz0dzlcwh