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“Be prepared.” Scouts around the world have this motto ingrained in their hearts. While I was a Girl Scout for only a short time, this practice remains essential to me. I look ahead and consider the numerous ways a situation may manifest. As the mother of two sons with…

As a mom and piercing enthusiast, I’ve always looked forward to the day my daughter, Cittie, would want her ears repierced. They were pierced when she was a baby, but her curiosity back then led her to constantly play with her earrings, which caused an infection. Her father and my…

For those of us living with bleeding disorders, a critical question often looms large: In the event of an emergency, if we rush to the emergency room (ER), will the hospital administer our own factor treatment or will we be forced to use theirs? On the surface, it…

I live in the high desert of New Mexico, where we have over 300 days of sunshine each year. It’s a perfect place to hike, bike, climb, and run. The beauty of this place is undeniable. Yet despite all its splendor, I often find myself yearning for the storms.

I must admit that, as a father, I dreamed of greatness for my sons. While Cazandra, my wife, was pregnant with each of my boys, I envisioned a global career for them that would transform the world. With my measurement of success as a guiding light, I imagined the…

For many millennial families, the dining table has become somewhat of a relic. What was once a central feature of family life — where meals were shared, stories told, and connections made — is now increasingly overlooked. It’s a trend I’ve seen in many homes, including my own,…

My primary care provider recently retired and was replaced by a doctor new to my area. As I prepared for our first meeting, I reflected on how I usually approach my bleeding disorders. Typically, I don’t even mention hemophilia to a primary care doctor. I mutter terms like “bleeding…

My wife, Cazandra, and I will give a presentation titled “Finding Our Way Back to Each Other” at the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation’s upcoming Bleeding Disorders Conference. I invite anyone in the Atlanta area on Friday, Sept. 13, to come and hear what we have to say. The…

My son Caeleb recently started college. He’s enjoyed the beginning of school and appreciates the flexibility of his schedule, but there’s one problem: his mobility. Caeleb lives with severe hemophilia A with an inhibitor. Persistent bleeding into his right knee and ankle resulted in irreparable damage and…

My husband, Jared, and I are navigating another significant life transition. Our daughter, Cittie, is now on her second week of kindergarten, which marks the official start of formal schooling here in the Philippines. This transition is even more pronounced because we’ve moved her from a traditional school to a…