How writing with fountain pens prepared me for hemophilia care
I’ve been a fan of collecting fountain pens since I was a teenager. As a writer, I’ve always believed that having the right tools — pens that glide effortlessly, inks that flow…
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.
Featured Post
Hemophilia care in the Philippines: Stories from the provinces
When I traveled with HAPLOS, the Hemophilia Philippines Foundation, about six years ago to visit families with bleeding disorders in rural provinces, I expected hardship. What I didn’t expect was how drastically the…
Read more
The power of movement in the context of hemophilia
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…
In our family, action is the antidote to fear
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,…
Household tools and appliances that make life with hemophilia easier
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,…
Say it with me: Disability is not a bad word
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…
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%…
Navigating metro transportation with hemophilia
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…
Hot news: It’s the story of the birthday bruise
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…
For my husband, video games and the hospital went hand in hand
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…
Age is a great equalizer when it comes to health woes
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…
Why my husband prefers manual wheelchairs instead of electric ones
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…
How ADHD benefits me as a caregiver to my husband
At age 28, I received a diagnosis that changed the way I saw myself. Learning that I had attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) felt like a missing puzzle piece finally clicking into place. Suddenly, everything that…
