Columns

Mother Nature was not kind to my area of Florida last year. First came Hurricane Helene, bringing widespread flooding. Just two weeks later, Hurricane Milton struck, unleashing high winds and another round of devastating floodwaters. The effects are still visible today: Businesses have shuttered, restaurants remain closed, and the damaged…

Last in a series. Read parts one and two. After our oldest son, Julian, was born and we took him home, the first six months went smoothly. His hemophilia diagnosis came up occasionally, but it didn’t directly affect our quality of life. We later learned that those early…

My family recently moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico. Boxes, packing paper, and tape have been a constant over the past few months. I’m grateful that my husband and sons are experienced movers. We all have a system, a rhythm to packing that we don’t even discuss. I pack…

Years ago, I attended a bleeding disorders conference where a person with hemophilia shared about an encounter they had with a law enforcement officer during a routine traffic stop. In order to appreciate the exchange, it’s important to understand that those of us with hemophilia are missing a protein…

My husband, Jared, doesn’t need a gym anymore, or dumbbells, or fancy machines. These days, all he needs is the floor, a bit of space, and his body. He still loves the gym and would gladly pick up free weights when the opportunity arises, but there’s something quietly powerful about…

Second in a series. Read part one. The birth of our oldest son, Julian, was a milestone event in our lives. After all the excitement and drama of that stormy June evening in 1996, things calmed down for the rest of the night. My wife, Cazandra, rested in her…

Even now, I hesitate to tell doctors I have hemophilia. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been met with blank stares, skepticism, or outright dismissal. Instead, I’ve learned to say, “I have a bleeding disorder.” It’s safer. It avoids the uncomfortable silence, the subtle smirk, or the…

I am in a video game. My mission: Fight the medical bureaucracy and access care. I must complete three levels and capture the golden key, which unlocks a fortress where healthcare is obtained. I’m stuck on Level 2. No matter what I try, I can’t gather the tools to unlock…

First in a series. My story starts on a hot and humid night in June 1996 in Houston. As my wife, Cazandra, and I entered the hospital, we couldn’t help but notice the storm gathering outside. We approached the check-in counter, and I explained to the attendant that…

The summer months bring relentless heat. In the desert of New Mexico, where we live, the thermometer often hits triple digits. While some people love the heat, others tolerate it, seeking shelter in the shade of a tree or in an air-conditioned area. Staying cool isn’t just a…