Columns

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…

Through my journey of being an advocate for two sons with hemophilia, I’ve continued to learn life lessons that enrich my soul and make me a better person. While it’s true that raising Julian and Caeleb involved the heavy burden of managing their bleeding disorders, I’ve discovered…

I’m trying to accept that my youngest son, Caeleb, is a college freshman. People say that time flies by, and we should enjoy our children when they’re little. Those people are right. As my son begins college, I’m apprehensive. I long for the days when I’d go into school before…

My husband, Jared, enjoys cooking. As I write this, a pot of gumbo simmers on the stove. Its strong aroma drifts throughout our open-layout house and toward my work desk. My stomach churns in excitement. It’s his first time making this dish, but as with nearly every recipe…

What do all the people with bleeding disorders I’ve interviewed for this column have in common? Each of them has a story about certain doctors not listening to them. I have a story about that, too. But first, I want to acknowledge that I now receive exceptional care from…

As a proud dad, I must brag about the incredible voice of my oldest son, Julian. He soars to high notes effortlessly with a rich and full sound. I feel transported when he sings because of his passion for and delivery of each note. My son leaves nothing to chance…