Over the past few years, I have had the pleasure of connecting with many women who are diagnosed with hemophilia A, hemophilia B, or as symptomatic carriers. These women have so many stories to share. The thread of commonality in their journeys is their struggle…
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When I was a kid in the 1970s and ’80s, I thought children who had trampolines in their yards were amazing. Being invited over to jump on a friend’s trampoline was a special treat. Later, as a teacher, I lost track of how many of my students acquired injuries from…
When someone has a hemophilia diagnosis, they receive treatment in one of two ways: on demand, in which they are given products to help their blood clot after an injury or before a scheduled medical procedure; or prophylaxis, which…
One issue that faces many families with chronic illnesses is lengthy hospitalizations. The entire household is affected by the disruption in schedule and routine. Life changes drastically for everyone involved. The child in the hospital must spend precious time away from regular activities and friends. Social interaction moves from…
I’m happy to finally be an official member of the Father’s Day club. I’ve learned much from the way my own family raised me. It’s an uphill battle raising our daughter Cittie with the occasional bleed dragging me down. But seeing her mature so quickly…
Twenty-three years ago, my life changed dramatically. I became a mom. My firstborn, Julian, entered the world screaming at the top of his lungs with a head full of crazy black hair. I imagined him thinking, “Put me back in!” When he was laid on my chest, I was overcome…
In the past, no one believed women could have hemophilia. The medical community assumed that one X chromosome would compensate for the other. Doctors now know about the process of duplicate X chromosome inactivation, called “lyonization.” As the inactivation process is random, some female…
I recently had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with a group of teens from our local bleeding disorders organization, HACA, which stands for Hemophilia Association of the Capital Area. Some of these kids have gone to camp together for years, and some were brand new to the group.
I work as a pastor in the United Methodist Church. One of the many challenges of participating in a denomination that calls ministers to move quite frequently in an itinerant system is the continuous upheaval regarding medical care. For those who live with chronic issues, picking up stakes and heading…
Most people will tell you that their children are opposites. One is outgoing, the other would rather be left alone. One will talk until your head hurts, the other will utter only a few words when prompted. Their personalities are different, yet they have the same biological parents. I see…
