Weathering Our Storms As a Loving Family
Monsoon season has begun here in the Philippines. Every time I drive in downtown Manila, I’m reminded of a family trip last year to Tagaytay, a popular tourist destination. My husband, Jared, and…
HemoWife — Allyx Formalejo
Allyx Formalejo, or Cza, is a writer, entrepreneur, and digital marketer based in Marikina, Philippines. She is married to Jared, who has severe hemophilia B and a seizure disorder. They have a young daughter and two other “babies” — a dog and a cat. Cza herself is diagnosed with ADHD and bipolar II disorder. This allows her to offer a unique perspective on navigating various aspects of young adult life (e.g. relationships, career, and parenting) with chronic health conditions. In her free time, she enjoys collecting fountain pens, supporting small businesses, traveling across the country, and exploring local cafes. She continues to blog like most 90s kids did in the Internet’s early years, sharing her thoughts and interesting discoveries on her personal website, czaofalltrades.com.
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Giving ourselves permission to take a rest is vital
Some days, my husband, Jared, who has severe hemophilia B, is unstoppable. He’ll haul a heavy plant pot across the living room, rearrange furniture, or even knock out a workout that would leave…
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When Hemophilia Isn’t the Worst Enemy
My husband, Jared, has had hemophilia since he was born. He has known no other life than one with a bleeding disorder. And that is why he does not consider…
We Are Teaching Our Toddler to Be Independent
Our baby girl, Cittie, is 18 months old. She’s feisty and curious about the world around her. Currently, her favorite words are “up,” “open,” and “close.” She likes being carried so she can observe…
Life’s Struggles Are Real, but So Is Personal Growth
When my husband, Jared, and I started dating, I was aware that he has hemophilia B and epilepsy. Not long after that, someone close to me gave me a gratuitous warning about…
Let’s Avoid Playing the Blame Game
Social media is one of my guilty pleasures. Whenever I find myself with free time, I open Facebook and mindlessly scroll through the endless news feed. I become immersed in whatever I stumble upon,…
Putting Disability in the Entrepreneurial Spotlight
Over the past few months, my husband and I have been working extra hard on our jewelry retail business. It’s surprising how much work goes into running a small online store. My husband,…
Embracing an Imperfect Life with ‘Amor Fati’
Life is awful from time to time. As someone with mental illness who is married to a person with hemophilia and epilepsy, I am no stranger to that thought. Various things can trigger…
Disability, Codependency, and Narcissistic Relationships
My husband, Jared, and I both share an interest in psychology and human relationships. We often bond over discussions about mental health and the way human beings interact. As a couple affected by hemophilia…
My Daughter Has a Life of Her Own
My toddler, Cittie, recently got a new tricycle. She took to it instantly, although she couldn’t reach the pedals yet. The trike has a long attachment that allows us to take turns driving her…
How Mental Illness Affects My Relationship with My Hemophiliac Husband
Two years ago, I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. I always knew I was struggling, but somehow that struggle didn’t feel real until I received a diagnosis. I battled eating disorders and…
My Mother’s Day Wish Is to Keep My Identity
I celebrated Mother’s Day a week ago at home with my family. We held a sale at our Instagram shop for the family jewelry business and sold several Mother’s Day goodies. It was a…
4 Tips for Dealing with Caregiver Fatigue
Spoiler alert: This column shares brief plot details from the Netflix series “Atypical.” Caregiver fatigue is real. It’s normal, and people should talk about it. Lately, my husband and I have…
