HemoWife - a Column by Allyx Formalejo

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…

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,…

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…

My husband, Jared, and I are two weeks into our self-sufficiency journey. Just last week, our family moved into a rented condo. We spent some time and money to fix up the place and repair damages. So far, Jared’s handyman skills have improved a great deal. He likes that…

Recently, my husband, Jared, and I decided to move into a new home. We’d been contemplating the idea since our daughter, Cittie, was born almost three years ago. Yet somehow, financial constraints always held us back. We wanted to be full-time parents to Cittie, at least during her formative…

My husband, Jared, and I are on the cusp of making a major life decision. This decision had always been part of our long-term plan. We just didn’t expect it to happen so soon. Still, one event led to another, and we found ourselves standing before the option we are…

I’ve been busy setting up my personal website and blog lately. So far, chronic illness and disability are two of my major themes. My husband, Jared, has hemophilia and a seizure disorder, and I see him face the challenges of being disabled every day. His conditions affect our marriage, family,…

As of this writing, my family and I have been in quarantine for over a week because my husband, Jared, has COVID-19. We were anxious after he tested positive,  because we didn’t know what the outcome would be. Thankfully, he’s doing much better, and his symptoms have subsided. He…

Last week, my husband, Jared, tested positive for COVID-19. He had been experiencing a tickle in his throat for the last couple days but didn’t have other symptoms. Then he woke up with a persistent cough and decided to get tested. As we were driving to…

Now and then, I think about my own health. I wonder if I’m caring for myself enough, or if my husband’s illnesses might be standing in the way. When health issues unexpectedly crop up for him due to his hemophilia or seizure disorder, certain worries are inevitable. What if…