Sickle cell doesn’t always effect people in the same way and when I hear others with sickle cell say that sickle cell doesn’t control or impact their life it makes me very happy; but sadly, I can’t say the same, as I feel sickle cell controls my life consciously and subconsciously.

My sickle cell controls my mood and ultimately how I spend my day. Sickle cell has helped structure the person that I am today and the older I become the more responsible I’ve become about my illness. When I was younger I would act and feel it later, but I came to the realisation that I was only hurting myself. I realised that I had to at least try to take control of my illness and take better care of myself.

Although there are days sickle cell feels like it has a firm grip on my life, with the help of my transfusions, I’ve found I can sometimes push through the aches and pains in order to allow my life to not pass me by. I believe it’s very important to have a balance of knowing your limits but also ‘living’ your life! My #sicklecellfamily I continue to pray for your health happiness hope and strength Alhumdulillah 💚 🙏🏾#aliyasthoughtsscd

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