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 me sore for days. On other days, he’s down for the count; there’s no negotiating with…

There are moments in life that seem to disappear, while others have burned into my memory. I can remember a moment that took place 20 years ago, and my heart rushes as though it happened only seconds ago. Sometimes that can be a good thing, but sometimes the…

Kendall Fitzpatrick and I have much in common. Like me, she has hemophilia B and von Willebrand disease. She’s a registered nurse, works for a specialty pharmacy, and is an outspoken advocate for women with bleeding disorders. She lives in New Kent, Virginia, and is mother to a…

Trauma comes in all shapes and sizes. People often associate trauma with physical injuries, such as a horrific accident, amputation, or burn wound, but it can be caused by many other situations as well. For example, early childhood trauma can develop when kids grow up with an abusive parent. Trauma…

Growing up in Texas meant Friday night football games. It’s a religion there. As a girl in elementary school, I’d go with my family to games — not so much to watch football as to see the halftime show. But I found myself enamored with the cheerleaders. They were athletic…

People with bleeding disorders face a variety of challenges. Healthcare access is a constant concern and covers myriad issues, including political and financial stability and regulatory and provider awareness. Most of us spend a fair amount of time educating and advocating for these issues. One thing we don’t often talk…

The current state of our world has me longing for something. It’s something that when gone, nothing remains quite the same. What I long for is routine. Yes, I miss the humdrum and the mundaneness of routine. I can still count on some aspects of my life remaining steady, such…

The favorite Winter Olympics sport in my home is figure skating. My husband can tell you who won which medal in any Olympic games, and when he hears a piece of music that was used by a skater, he can not only tell you the name of the…

Prophylaxis is the term used for the infusion of clotting factor (proteins in the blood which help to stem blood flow) for people living with severe hemophilia. This is a preventative measure to avoid bleeds should the patient injure themselves and can also be taken after a bleed to lessen…