When my husband, Jared, and I first started our online jewelry store, we knew our business was not going to be like other enterprises in the market. He lives with hemophilia and epilepsy, while I am diagnosed with anxiety and depression. We feared that bleeds, seizures, and mental breakdowns would…
From early on, we find success by developing a strong work ethic. Some of us come by it naturally, while others learn the value of working hard and doing the best job they can do. I realized that discipline brought great rewards, both musically and academically. When I failed to…
Sometimes I am overwhelmed when I think about the hemophilia journey my sons are traveling. My first memories about this date to June 1996, when my first son, Julian, was born and diagnosed with severe hemophilia A. The early days of learning how to access a port,…
Lately, I’ve been finding myself in need of more “alone time.” Now that I am a mom to a hyperactive and curious toddler, most of my days are spent listening to nursery rhymes on repeat, chasing our baby girl and making sure she doesn’t hurt herself while exploring her surroundings,…
My family loves dogs. My wife and I have never known married life without a beloved pet. They continue to bring us joy, while at the same time imparting valuable life lessons. Our pets teach us to care for something more than ourselves. Our puppies need us as much as…
My chronic pain is not caused by a bleeding disorder, but it does give me perspective on the pain my youngest son, Caeleb, endures from hemophilia. Friends stopped by on a recent afternoon to meet our new puppies, and I shared a homemade pie that was fresh from the…
When I have the opportunity to gather with my brothers and sisters from the hemophilia community, I notice we all have stories to tell. When you live with a rare disease, you are bound to have unique interactions with medical providers, family members, friends, and colleagues. These interactions range from…
Fresh off the heels of the National Hemophilia Foundation’s virtual symposium earlier this month, I just attended another online conference hosted by the Hemophilia Federation of America. One thing that drew me to this event was the number of sessions dealing with mental health, for both caregivers and…
My 24-year-old son, Julian, lives out of state, where he attends college and works as a barista. He pays his bills and “adults” well, making me immensely proud of him. When he was a teenager, I didn’t think I would live to see his adult years. Like most teenagers who…
Our baby, Cittie, is now the textbook specimen of a toddler. My husband, Jared, often finds himself surprised by how quickly she is developing. Her vocabulary doubles by the day, and she is even learning interjections. As funny as it is to hear her suddenly screaming “Oh no!” or a…
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