In the Twinkling of an Eye - a Column by Joe MacDonald

As we continue to practice social distancing, I find it exceedingly difficult to stay connected to brothers and sisters in the hemophilia community. I gain strength and hope from dear friends who struggle with medical issues like mine. Why then do I find it hard to take advantage of…

I am the first person to insist that a diagnosis does not define my children. In my home, we never call our children hemophiliacs, rather we focus on the fact that they are human beings who have hemophilia. I never want my sons to think that their whole person is…

At times I struggle with documenting my journey as a caregiver for a loved one with a bleeding disorder. I can’t offer medical advice because I am not an expert. The most I can do is share my experiences and hope that something I write might speak to someone…

Two weeks ago, my family moved back to New Mexico. Today, I find myself attempting to bring order to my office. I started matching books with the subject matter and made sure that each volume found its right place on my bookshelves. I held my Doctoral thesis in my…

I entered my 3-month-old son’s room and stared at him as he peacefully slept in his cradle. Streetlights shined through the window into the darkened room. I glanced out at a serene view that reminded me that everyone uses nighttime to rest. I turned to my baby boy, unsure of…

If there is one word in the English language that drives me batty, it’s “chaos.” It implies a lack of control and an inability to stand on firm ground. It isn’t pleasant to be forced into a world that lacks any sense of stability. I must find a way to…

As caregivers of loved ones managing chronic illness, we face questions that, when first heard, knock us to our knees. For my family, it was not so much a question as a statement. When “MacDonald the Older” was 4 years old, we set up to infuse through his port-a-cath…

It’s essential that we inform the world about struggles in the bleeding disorders community by showing them how to be advocates. We must teach our loved ones how to educate and inform those in leadership about the needs faced by those with hemophilia and other disease states resulting in clotting…

During the summer, my sons and I usually choose a museum to visit on Fridays. It started with “MacDonald the Older” and continues with “MacDonald the Younger.” I look forward to the special times that I get to celebrate with my stinky sons. I call those moments sacred, set apart…

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes, it is challenging to recognize the people in our lives who overcame overwhelming odds to remind us that life means more than merely accepting our condition. We must thrive, even when we face uncertain futures, painful treatments, or life-changing issues. Our champions,…