Joe MacDonald,  —

Early in the life of our son “MacDonald the Elder,” we came face to face with one of our first major medical decisions: deciding which factor product to infuse. By the time our firstborn was 2, we had chosen our hematologist, survived a first bleed, and taken a trip…

I love the months of October and November. Leaves change colors, and the air is crisp and cool. It also is the season when we take a moment to count our blessings. I am referring to the things that bring us joy. Sometimes in our chaos with chronic illness, we…

Wouldn’t it have been nice to receive an instruction manual when first diagnosed? The doctor might share a blueprint, surefire way of raising a child with a bleeding disorder: “Follow this when this happens, and all will be fine.” Those who manage chronic illnesses know full well that there…

Life in the hospital can overwhelm us and leave us beaten down, as if we fought a war to end all wars. We exist by preparing for the next nurse, technician, or doctor to enter the room to check on our loved one. In our case, “MacDonald the Younger” suffered…

I will never forget the night I was ordained as an elder in full connection in the United Methodist Church. We were about three and a half hours away from home at a church in the small town of Clovis, New Mexico. My ordination took place at the close…

When our youngest son, whom we affectionately call “MacDonald the Younger,” was diagnosed with hemophilia, my wife and I didn’t know how to respond. We were in a state of shock and hadn’t thought something like this was possible. Later, we learned that my wife was a hemophilia carrier,…

From early on, we find success by developing a strong work ethic. Some of us come by it naturally, while others learn the value of working hard and doing the best job they can do. I realized that discipline brought great rewards, both musically and academically. When I failed to…

My family loves dogs. My wife and I have never known married life without a beloved pet. They continue to bring us joy, while at the same time imparting valuable life lessons. Our pets teach us to care for something more than ourselves. Our puppies need us as much as…

Fresh off the heels of the National Hemophilia Foundation’s virtual symposium earlier this month, I just attended another online conference hosted by the Hemophilia Federation of America. One thing that drew me to this event was the number of sessions dealing with mental health, for both caregivers and…

I will never forget the first time the Hemophilia Federation of America asked me to facilitate a discussion group for parents of the newly diagnosed, at the federation’s annual symposium. About 30 parents attended, each with their own issues regarding their children. I sat in my chair and quickly…