Adulting Is Hard, Especially with Chronic Illness
Many in my millennial generation dread adulting. The idea of surviving in the real world without the comfort of a family safety net is daunting. Young adults who are barely scraping by can feel…
HemoWife — Alliah Czarielle
Alliah Czarielle, 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.
Featured Post
When an invisible disability is only seen as attempted fraud
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%…
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Redefining Gender Roles as a Couple Living with Chronic Illness
I have never been one to subscribe to traditional gender stereotypes. Thankfully, we now live in a world that is more accepting of people who live differently than society’s outdated views of…
Raising Empathetic Children Can Make a Difference
My daughter, Cittie, is now 8 months old. She has obvious likes and dislikes and is starting to develop habits and character traits. I can sense that she’s about to become a full-fledged toddler.
Iliopsoas Bleeds Are Stressful to Both the Patient and the Caregiver
Last week, my husband had another random bleed in an extremely unfortunate location: his iliopsoas muscle group. It started as a lump on his hip, which he didn’t initially think much of because…
A Little Money Is a Big Deal When a Partner Has a Disability
I lost some money today during an online transaction. It was 3,150 Philippine pesos (around $60). The amount was a client’s payment for a product she had bought from our online jewelry store. That…
Returning to the Gym Is a Worthwhile Investment of Time and Money
The smell of rubber. The clanging of metal plates against one another. The sight of sweaty bodies heaving, struggling. Towels slung over shoulders. Muscles popping out of the chiseled physiques of a couple who…
As a Work-from-home Mom, I Have 3 Full-time Roles
I am a work-from-home mom, which means that I have two full-time positions as a “mom” and a “worker.” I am also a full-time carer to my husband with hemophilia. Thankfully, that position affords…
My Husband and I Are Blessed in Our First Year of Marriage
As I pen this column, my husband, Jared, and I are celebrating a full year of marriage. It’s been a blissful one, with so many milestones reached and memorable moments experienced. Our baby, Cittie,…
Life Goes On Despite My Husband’s Hemophilia and Epilepsy
Now and then, my husband, Jared, loses consciousness and falls to the ground. To an unknowing onlooker, the sight is alarming. Some wonder if he has fainted. Others worry about his heart or think…
My Husband Is ‘Happy to Serve’ Despite Injuries
A few days ago, I gave my husband, Jared, a factor IX infusion for a back bleed. It wasn’t so bad that he couldn’t move around, but in his words, it felt “annoying.”…
The Story of a Pearl: Embracing Irritants in a Process of Becoming
I’ve recently taken to collecting pearls. It started as a stock-obtaining activity for the jewelry business I run with my husband, Jared, who has hemophilia. It has since grown into a full-fledged personal obsession.
Practicing Self-care as a Mom and a Spouse to a Person with Hemophilia
It’s been nearly five months since I became a mom to baby Cittie. In those months, my life has been transformed into something completely different. My social media feed, which used to…
