HemoWife - a Column by Allyx Formalejo

While cleaning up recently, I found a physician-authored exercise guide from 2002 for Filipinos with hemophilia. It was fascinating to read, especially knowing that at the time, synthetic factor products were still scarce here in the Philippines. Treatment options were limited, and many people with hemophilia still relied…

There’s a saying that’s been on my mind a lot lately: “Action is the antidote to anxiety.” It resonates deeply, especially in our household, where uncertainty is part of daily life. My husband, Jared, has severe hemophilia B and epilepsy — two conditions that bring unique challenges. Together, they…

Recently, our microwave broke beyond repair, and it made me realize how much we rely on certain appliances to make life easier. In a household where hemophilia is a part of daily life, convenience isn’t just about comfort. It’s about minimizing physical strain and reducing risks. Many household chores…

When people talk about hemophilia, some deliberately avoid calling it a disability. Instead, they’ll say “a medical condition” or “a health challenge,” as if disability were a negative label. Some who embrace the positive thinking movement even argue that people with hemophilia shouldn’t see it as a disability, pushing…

An unfortunate incident recently made waves on social media here in the Philippines, where I live, when a restaurant chain posted a dismissive, sarcastic message about fake disability IDs. The poster questioned whether 30% of its customers were truly disabled and mocked those with invisible disabilities. It also reduced…

Commuting in a crowded metropolis can be a daunting experience. Many cities around the world struggle with inadequate public transportation infrastructure, poor urban planning, and heavily congested roads. In places like metropolitan Manila, where we live in the Philippines, navigating public transportation can feel like a game of survival.

Some people get birthday blues. Jared got a birthday bruise. So we found ourselves heading to a café to get some birthday brews. — A rhyme by yours truly My husband, Jared, celebrated his 32nd birthday on Jan. 13. A couple of days before that, he had a run-in with…

My husband, Jared, often spent his childhood navigating two very different worlds. In one, he was a regular kid with big dreams and boundless imagination. In the other, he was a young boy living with severe hemophilia B, which meant being confined to hospital beds for weeks while receiving…

When my husband, Jared, was younger, he was “the sick child.” With severe hemophilia B and a seizure disorder, he stood out like a sore thumb — or a rare gem. In any case, he was distinct as the child who required special accommodations at school or who missed…

My husband, Jared, lives with severe hemophilia B and a seizure disorder. Despite these challenges, he’s active in ways that many people wouldn’t expect. He swims, lifts weights, and plays badminton. He can also keep up with our 5-year-old daughter, who is a huge ball of energy. We recently…