The Lingering Effects of Recurring Joint Bleeds
Years ago, I watched my youngest son, “MacDonald the Younger,” as he struggled with recurring joint bleeds. Each episode took…
Articles by Joe MacDonald
We All Need More Disney Moments
When “MacDonald the Younger” was 5, a social worker from the hemophilia treatment center gave his name to the…
The Unwritten Rules of Processing Information
One of my favorite educational philosophers is Ruby Payne. Payne focuses on the unwritten rules of social classes and…
Let Us Cross the Bridge
A few years ago, my family and I attended an inhibitor symposium in San Francisco. While the conference was jam-packed…
Hope in the Toughest of Circumstances
Yesterday, I went through the pictures on my iPhone. I started with the most recent, moving backward, my heart beating…
Changes in Treatment Options Result in Redefining Boundaries
There is no doubt that the new medicine Hemlibra (emicizumab) is a game changer in the treatment of…
A Leap of Faith and an Allergy Treatment Changed My Son’s Life
For many years we tried to overcome my younger son’s reaction to factor VIII. No matter which medical product we…
A Coloring Book Prompts Reflection on My Choice of a Road to Treatment
I was with my son in a store recently when a coloring book for adults caught my eye. Ordinarily, I…
The Faces of Worry: Raising Children with Hemophilia
There is never a time that I do not worry about my sons. “MacDonald the Older” is 23, but not…
Aiding Our Sons in Building Self-Esteem
In my experience, raising two children with a chronic illness includes the usual worries that parents and other primary caregivers…