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I remember the first time I put my hand in your hand. You seemed to smile out of a sense of familiarity. You knew me in a way that knocked me to my knees. Your tiny hand filled my palm with delicate fingers and fresh new strength. Your touch seemed…

The back-to-school season is one of my favorites. Shopping for new school clothes, finding the right backpack, and getting school supplies are part of the tradition. As my son Caeleb enters his freshman year of high school, it looks to be the start of a vastly different year. There is…

Have you ever been to a holiday dinner with two tables? One table is designated for “the adults” and the other is for “the kids.” Growing up, this was the case at many family gatherings. I felt offended when I, as a teenager in high school, was stuck…

My husband, Jared, recently decided to stop cooking after he was injured during an epileptic seizure. It was a hard decision because he enjoys cooking, and food brings him genuine happiness. He enjoys preparing the ingredients for our daily meals. In his free time,…

Saturday afternoon marked the opening of the virtual edition of the National Hemophilia Foundation’s Bleeding Disorders Conference. I immediately missed the in-person experience, meeting old friends, walking through the exhibits, and other benefits that come with traveling to another city. But I like the opportunity to hear great thinkers in…

A couple friends came over for lunch last weekend, and one started talking to my youngest son, Caeleb, who is 14. Caeleb and I were both confused by this, because the conversation didn’t make sense. I realized that my friend had mistaken Caeleb for my older son Julian, who is…

Monsoon season has begun here in the Philippines. Every time I drive in downtown Manila, I’m reminded of a family trip last year to Tagaytay, a popular tourist destination. My husband, Jared, and I wanted to get out of town for our first anniversary, but the trip turned out…

As we continue to practice social distancing, I find it exceedingly difficult to stay connected to brothers and sisters in the hemophilia community. I gain strength and hope from dear friends who struggle with medical issues like mine. Why then do I find it hard to take advantage of…

When people find out my sons have hemophilia, their reactions often make me uncomfortable. “You are so brave, Cazandra,” one might say. “I don’t know if I could do it,” another might add. Friends and family members often place me on a pedestal by saying that my strength and courage…

My husband, Jared, has had hemophilia since he was born. He has known no other life than one with a bleeding disorder. And that is why he does not consider hemophilia to be his “worst enemy.” Instead, he considers epilepsy his greatest foe.