Reflecting on My First Father’s Day As a Dad
I’m happy to finally be an official member of the Father’s Day club. I’ve learned much from the way my own family raised me. It’s an uphill battle raising…
The ‘I’ in Hemophilia
— Jared Formalejo
Jared is a 25-year-old man from the Philippines who has hemophilia and epilepsy. He’s an aspiring entrepreneur happily living with his partner, Cza, and his daughter, Cittie — his pillars of strength and support.
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When Hemophilia Meets Epilepsy
It’s a struggle to balance life with two disorders. I need to take daily medications for epilepsy while also self-infusing to treat internal bleeds. I recently suffered a horrible epileptic episode. My wife,…
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Looking on the Lighter Side of Stress
I’ve found the stress of my first two months of fatherhood overwhelming. We’ve had many sleepless nights as we’ve adjusted to meeting the constant demands of a crying baby. My wife and I are…
The Struggles of Dating with a Chronic Illness
Looking at myself now, my younger self never would have expected me to be where I am. Recalling my younger years, I remember having anxiety about being alone when I grew up. I always…
My First Steps into Parenthood
As I write this, I’m bedridden from a bleed in my right hip. I’m learning what it means to have both hemophilia and a baby girl. Although I could see this bleed as…
Hi, Baby! My Thoughts on Becoming a Father
Editor’s note: After this column was written, Jared and his wife welcomed a healthy baby girl, Melanie Citrine, on Jan. 18. Congratulations! My wife is 38 weeks pregnant. I’ll soon be a father. That…
Finding Meaning in Chronic Illness
I was born into this world with hemophilia. As a child, it was a reality I had to face, and I have no one to blame for my misfortune. Did I want to be…
Merry Christmas from Our HAPLOS Community
My local hemophilia organization just held its annual Christmas party. During these celebrations, we are reminded that we belong to a community that empowers, cares, and provides us with support and service. Christmas is…
Exercising with Hemophilia Has More Pros Than Cons
An important part of my role in the Hemophilia Association of the Philippines for Love and Service (HAPLOS) is the promotion of physical fitness and exercise. I see many young hemophiliacs strapped…
What I Want for My Future Child
Time flies so surprisingly fast. It just dawned on me that I’ll be a father in three months; my wife, Cza, is already 26 weeks into her pregnancy. There’s a lot of pressure, but…
I Work in a Hemophilia Organization to Serve My Fellow Hemophiliacs
It’s rewarding to be able to serve my fellow people with hemophilia. I have often mentioned the Hemophilia Association of the Philippines for Love and Service (HAPLOS) in my writing. I want to…
Hemophilia, Epilepsy, and Independence: Time to Fly, Baby Bird
I’m a 25-year-old “PWD” (person with disabilities), and I’m not a baby bird anymore. It’s time for me to fly on my own, be independent, and take care of myself. Recently, I had a…
Where We Are Now in Hemophilia Care
It’s not easy to live with hemophilia in the Philippines. When we hear stories of hemophilia care around the world, it’s hard not to feel envious of hemophiliacs outside of our country who receive…
