Columns

Celebrating Valentine’s Day in Our Own Special Way

With Valentine’s Day over, it’s amazing to look back at the “Love Month” celebrations my husband, Jared, and I have had since we first started dating. In our six years together, we’ve had our share of Valentine’s Day celebrations. Some stood out more than others. One example is the time…

A Time to Celebrate Our Family

I am sitting in a favorite restaurant with the three great loves of my life: my wife and two sons. It is Valentine’s Day, and the place is packed and loud. But the noise fades into the background as I find myself captivated by the conversation at our table. We…

It’s OK to Advocate for Care

I attended my first women-only hemophilia retreat in the fall of 2016. To say the weekend was an eye-opener would be a gross understatement. It changed my life. First of all, I learned that I was not alone in my struggles to understand lifelong bleeding…

On the Road with Ross: Driving in the Winter

Lately, I’ve spent a lot of time driving on Interstate 95. I barely like driving across town, let alone spending eight or more hours a week on one of the most congested stretches of highway in America. But I’ve joined the legion of long-distance commuters on the East Coast. Several…

The Importance of Self-care

A lack of control is one of the most frustrating things about staying in the hospital. Doctors, nurses, and everyone else enters the room without permission. Nothing runs on my schedule. I need to find a way to reclaim at least a small part of my life. I do not…

Playtime Is Not so Simple with Hemophilia

Our baby girl turned one earlier this year. Watching Cittie mature makes me reflect on the innocent phase of childhood. Life was so simple back then. I believed games and toys to be major issues of the utmost importance. I stayed late after school and played with my friends.

The Stories We Don’t Hear

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and I encouraged my son Caeleb to take our dog, Betty, for a walk. He gathered the necessities of a 14-year-old — headphones and music — and put Betty on her leash and off they went. Encouraging my son to be active is difficult.

Take Care of Yourselves, Carrier Moms!

Carrier moms — those whose sons or daughters have hemophilia — inspire me. I see you struggle, sometimes daily, with the realities of parenting a child who has a chronic condition. Your tireless dedication necessary to ensure a child’s safety and proper medical treatment can be challenging and…