Columns

Advocacy is a beautiful thing. Many people find it fulfilling because it’s a way to show kindness to others while championing something close to one’s own heart. But advocacy isn’t always easy. I’ve come across some disability advocates whose dedication to the cause was tested by their experiences…

Welcome to “Hemophilia and Me.” Former Hemophilia News Today columnist Shellye Horowitz, who wrote “The Forgotten Factor,” inspired me to dust off my journalism degree and share my own story, and now I’m grateful and honored to join a team of inspirational rock star writers. I plan…

We live in a world that is loud and overwhelms us at every turn. The noise can drown out our own ability to think, leaving us frightened and unsure what our next step should be. Because I have been a caregiver to two sons with hemophilia and have to deal…

I am an advocate, born and bred. Being an advocate is simply part of my DNA. Even when I was a young girl, seeing someone be mistreated or experience prejudice angered me. The years have taught me how to fight my battles and fight for others, but when my first…

Mistakes can be costly. The damage of a single mistake can cost a few dollars or an entire livelihood. In an ideal world, we’d learn our lessons before we had the chance to make any mistakes. That way, we could avoid ever making them. It’s like going to school,…

Many years ago, when my youngest son was 11 months old, he was hospitalized during the Christmas season due to hemophilia complications. We enjoyed the different community groups, such as performing arts groups, school groups, and church ministries, that came to share a tiny part of the holidays with…

I love a good laugh. When things are terrible and the world seems to be imploding, a well-timed joke or story can completely change the direction of the day. I am grateful to live in a home that is filled with love and laughter. I can count on…

Last Sunday, I preached about a blind man named Bartimaeus. The people told the blind beggar to arise and go to Jesus, who wished to see him. It dawned on me that the people surrounding the man functioned as his advocates. Upon hearing the words of Jesus, the crowd…

I live with depression, anxiety, and chronic pain, and I rely on talk therapy at least once a month to keep my emotional well-being in check. The process of talking through my emotions and trusting a professional to give me new perspectives on the issues I deal with brings…

I recently took a photo of my husband, Jared, looking after our daughter, Cittie. They were both snuggled up on a foam mattress laid out in front of the television. It was a sweet photo, but their perfect smiles and adorable cuddles obscured a dark reality: At the time, Jared…