I am the mother of Lean Archer De Guzman. This is our family’s journey after my son was diagnosed with severe hemophilia. When Lean was 5 months old, I noticed bruises appearing on his body. It was the first time I’d experienced a condition like this, so I was…
Guest Voice
Note: This column was updated July 2, 2026, to correct the year of the author’s hospitalization for iliopsoas bleeding to this year. Having severe hemophilia A means everything can be life-threatening. In February, I had a tooth extraction that required sedation after a year of preparation. It took that…
I never thought my life would be like this, but as a mother, I had no choice but to be strong for my children. As a mother of two sons with severe hemophilia A, Lean Archer and Lukas, my world has been shaped by fear, vigilance, and unconditional love.
Hemophilia has required me to make some major adaptations in my life. One of the biggest came when I was younger and needed to start infusing medication on my own. At first, doubt and fear crept in. Can I really do this? Is it going to hurt? But…
In January 2017, I lost my mother, who had fought cancer for several years. I fell into a deep depression, and then suddenly found out I was pregnant. The new life inside of me helped me slightly overcome the depression. I started taking better care of myself and researching…
Parenthood is full of surprises. Some are delightful, some are exhausting, and some are completely unpredictable. Add hemophilia to the mix, and everything becomes a little more complicated. Over the years, I’ve learned that balancing relationships, parenting, and a chronic condition is not about perfection. It is about understanding…
Kevin Leurquin is from Green Bay, Wisconsin. He enjoys spotlighting positivity through his food truck, Captain Quesadilla, and speaking publicly about “tapping into your inner awesome.” Kevin is passionate about helping others and being adventurous. He stays active by working out, golfing, trail running, and walking his dog, Summit. His…
