My oldest son, Julian, has one life goal in mind: to make it to Broadway. From his earliest years, my boy would sing for anybody who would listen to him. While we share a love of music, I admit that he can sing so much better than I ever dreamed.
In the Twinkling of an Eye - a Column by Joe MacDonald
I can juggle many things in my life, but I do have my limits. I have a mental image of me playing the clown, entertaining children while the spotlight is on me. As I start with one ball in the air, I feel sure and stable. Someone throws a second,…
In observance of Mother’s Day, I can’t help but think about three amazing women who have proven their strength and dedication to my sons, Julian and Caeleb, who both live with hemophilia A. All three of them approached hemophilia in very different ways when they were confronted…
One thing that moves me is watching my sons find pockets of time when their bleeding disorder doesn’t take center stage in their lives. During these periods of freedom, time seems to suspend itself for a moment, and Julian and Caeleb are able to live their best lives without worrying…
Last Friday, my wife, Cazandra, and I drove to Albuquerque from our home in Las Cruces, New Mexico, for doctor visits and other personal business. One of the best parts of the trip was taking our youngest son, Caeleb, to lunch. I know he’s 20, but sometimes I have to…
My day started like every other day — at my desk, sorting through emails inviting me to attend meetings on church activities and other community opportunities. But then, my phone lit up with a message from my son Julian, encouraging me to open a link to a song he recorded…
Thirteen years ago, when my youngest son, Caeleb, was 7, he suffered a horrible spontaneous internal bleeding episode in his right knee, a complication of hemophilia. His right knee and ankle were target joints, meaning they were susceptible to frequent bleeding. This proved to be one of…
My oldest son, Julian, caught me completely off guard recently. “Dad,” he said when I answered his call. “When the hematologist and her medical team entered the hospital room to tell you and Mom that I had hemophilia, what did you need for them to say to help you…
There is a moment in every person’s journey when they realize that their story is messy, complicated, and imperfect — and it holds more power than they ever imagined. Living with a bleeding disorder often means navigating a world that doesn’t fully understand what we face. We can feel isolated…
My youngest son, Caeleb, is home from college for spring break. He has no big trips to far-off hot spots planned. Instead, he’s in his room, enjoying the comfort of his bed. Our fur babies, Laggie and Hildie, enjoy spending time with their favorite human. Caeleb’s love for art and…
