HemoWife - a Column by Allyx Formalejo

I was recently browsing social media when I randomly clicked on a suggested article titled “34 Things You Need to Give Up to Be Successful.” As an entrepreneur, I get lots of suggested links to articles about success in business and life. I reflected upon what I had just…

My husband, Jared, and I are quiet, introverted people. We’re both averse to noisy crowds and overstimulating activities. Our idea of a good time is immersing ourselves in hobbies or getting away to a weekend nature retreat. Although my Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is ENFP, a personality classification that stands…

My husband, Jared, has a complex medical situation: He has severe hemophilia B and a seizure disorder, which both greatly affect his daily life. He recently started online consultations with a psychologist, a psychiatrist, and a neurologist to help him work through his seizure disorder, which was caused by a…

My husband, Jared, and I run an online jewelry store. Over the years, the fact that our store is run by persons with disabilities (PWDs) has become one of its main selling points. We’ve had fellow PWDs and advocacy supporters speak to us and purchase items. They mentioned that…

I recently scheduled a consultation with a psychiatrist after years of trying to manage my mental health without professional help. Since I was a teenager, I’ve dealt with chronic mental health issues that manifested in bothersome ways. In the past, I had difficulty sleeping, disordered eating, and fluctuating moods. I…

I recently celebrated my 27th birthday in the company of family. Despite being unable to go out due to government-mandated COVID-19 restrictions, I still had a wonderful celebration at home. Although it was a weekday, our workload that day wasn’t too heavy or stressful. I was able to do enjoyable…

My husband, Jared, has fond memories of his school days when he was younger. He went to an all-boys combined elementary school and high school, where roughhousing and horsing around with friends were common. He and his classmates sometimes were crude and rowdy, he says, but they were all very…

I have a number of friends working as financial advisors. From time to time, they offer me life insurance policies, stock market deals, and other similar investments. As a young mom and businesswoman, I am right within their target market. I take interest in all sorts of financial tools…

My design prototype for a jewelry piece commemorating hemophilia just rolled off the manufacturing line. The Hemo Ring will be posted on our Instagram store soon, just in time for March, which is Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month. As the owner of a small jewelry business, I revel…

When I was a child, I learned a song called “Greatest Love of All.” I’ve always found the first two lines particularly striking: “I believe the children are our future/ Teach them well and let them lead the way.” Now that I am a mom to my very own spunky…