At Times, Letting Go of Perfection Is the Perfect Decision
All of the items I own are covered with breast milk; it’s on my clothes, bedsheets, even my phone. Its subtle sweetness occasionally attracts ants in the same way it…
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
What do people with hemophilia actually need?
When someone we love is diagnosed with a chronic illness, our instincts often compel us to search for solutions: stricter routines, healthier diets, more discipline, or the willpower to push through. While self-help culture…
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To My Husband, the Father of My Daughter
To the father of my daughter, Thank you for being present from the very beginning of my pregnancy — when those two lines first appeared, and you told me you didn’t…
I’m a Mommy Now: Reflections on New Parenthood
On Friday, Jan. 18, my husband, Jared, and I finally had our baby girl. We named her Melanie Citrine. (Courtesy of Alliah Czarielle) Labor was perhaps the most…
Dear Person with Disability: Money Matters, but Not Always
Dear (young) person with disability, I hear you. You’re having a tough time with money. Maybe you’re having difficulty finding a job. You probably have the qualifications — you may have gone to college…
Keeping It Real and Staying Inspired
The Philippines was in an extra festive mood over the Christmas season. Alongside the holiday parties, we were celebrating our country’s Miss Universe contender, Catriona Gray, who took home the crown. As…
Minimalism, Filipinos, and Disability
I’ve been pondering the minimalism movement a lot lately. This is because I recently found myself with more than a dozen boxes from my childhood home, and along with these came a sense of…
An Open Letter to My Husband’s Hemophilia
Dear hemophilia, Truth be told, I hate you sometimes. I especially hate you when you suddenly pop out of nowhere and find ways to ruin my husband’s life. I hate you when you encroach…
The Truth About Running a Business as a Person with Disabilities
These past few days have been extremely busy for my husband Jared and me. We decided to rent a couple of commercial booths at the barangay (or district) hall for the duration…
My Husband and I Are Each Other’s Keepers
Today, I became my husband’s dependent — officially. A few months ago, I wrote about being ineligible for health insurance because I was already five months pregnant when I applied for it. My…
Raising a Successful Family Amid Hemophilia
At 28 weeks pregnant, it seems I have entered my “nesting” phase. Two days ago, my husband Jared and I chanced upon a good deal for a crib. We had no intentions of…
There’s No Need to Fear a Little Blood
As I write this, it’s Nov. 1 and we’re observing All Saints’ Day. On this day, I remember my mom, who passed away last June. Her final resting place is many islands…
Managing My Husband’s Hemophilia and Child-rearing Are Both Processes
“Write about the first time you witnessed me with a bleed,” offered my husband Jared as we talked about my column over breakfast. Couples usually remember firsts. The first date. The first…
