HemoWife - a Column by Alliah Czarielle

crab mentality, home, golden retriever, business, routine, childhood illness, unfair Alliah Czarielle, or Cza for short, is a life partner to a person with hemophilia and epilepsy. Her lifs dream is to enjoy a happy and contented life with her family, while pursuing her own passion for arts, crafts, entrepreneurship, and fine jewelry. She is a strong advocate for equal rights and support for people with disability, as well as people with mental illnesses, being a struggler herself. She lives in the Philippines with her husband, Jared, and their daughter, Cittie.

Reflections on Pain After an Odd Jaw Bleed

It happened after a month of celebrations. First, it was Christmas and New Year’s. Then, it was my husband Jared’s birthday. Five days later, our daughter, Cittie, turned 3. Plus, we had just moved to a new home next to some uncles who kept inviting us to relatives’ birthdays…

My Husband Is Strong Because of Hemophilia

A sealed jar that no one can open. A faucet attachment that’s been screwed on too tightly. A piece of furniture that needs to be moved. These are just some of the problems we encounter at our home on a regular basis. And the one person who can solve them?…

Without the Darkness, We Wouldn’t See the Light

In Chinese philosophy, the concepts of yin and yang represent two opposing forces that come together in synergy to complement each other and create a perfect balance. Their symbols are interconnected black and white halves of a circle, each with a dot of the opposite half’s color. It perfectly…

My Husband Chose a Simple Birthday Celebration

My husband, Jared, recently celebrated his birthday. Hooray for 29 years of fighting and surviving! He opted for a low-key celebration at home with me, our daughter, Cittie, and her nanny. Because it was a weekday and I had to work, we didn’t have much time to do anything particularly…

Leaving, Grieving, and New Beginnings

After three months of living in a rented condo, my family is moving to a full-size house. My husband, Jared, and I want to think of this event as our Christmas and New Year’s blessing. Though the change was unexpected, we welcomed it with open arms. The only hassle,…

Caregiver Partners Need Support and Recognition, Too

I’m standing in line at a convenience store after my appointment at the salon. It’s almost lunchtime and my stomach is grumbling, as I left our condo without having eaten breakfast. My husband, Jared, who has hemophilia and a seizure disorder, had a series of seizures the day before…

How to Help Someone Who Is Chronically Ill

Helping others is nice. On the most basic level, helping another person can trigger positive emotions. It also creates a sense of belonging and enables one to connect with their community. And from a big-picture perspective, it gives one a sense of purpose, as they are contributing something good…

Achieving Goals Can Provide Meaning and Fulfillment

Many young people enter adulthood with dreams and goals in mind. The burning desire to attain these goals drives them to carry on through hardships and challenges. But for people with chronic illness, achieving goals can be harder, as they may face more obstacles related to their condition. It may…