Success Begins with You!
This comment was posted on the Sickle Cell Warriors Facebook page. Reading this instantly made me get on my soapbox and triggered a whole line of thinking for me.
“The life of a sickle cell sufferer is a very challenging one. I woke up this morning 5am in preparation for work feeling pains in my elbow joint and knees. I quickly took some pain reliever and a warm bath then, off I went to work. We work extra hard in comparison with the average healthy person to survive. I think I would have been a lot much successful, prosperous, fulfilled, richer and … if I never had sickle cell. Do you feel the same way too? Sickle cell kind of limits ones abilities.”
I don’t feel that way. I feel that sickle cell does pose some challenges for us; but it does not make having a good life impossible.
I don’t refer to myself as a sufferer. I am not suffering, I am not miserable, I am not hopeless. Everyone has challenges, and having sickle cell is my challenge. I am living, loving and surviving. I am a warrior…everyday I get up and fight for my dreams and goals. I may have pain today, and be in a full blown crisis tomorrow, but that is just a battle. It doesn’t define my whole life. When I feel good and am not sick, then I still press on, like a true soldier would. We have to change our mentality and stop feeling sorry for ourselves. A pity party does not get you anywhere—in fact, it just keeps you stuck in the same situation that you are in. Every goal is possible, we may have to modify it a little, or find a creative way to make it happen…but NOTHING is impossible with God.
Please let us shift our mentality. It’s okay to vent and be frustrated with the problems and issues in our lives once in a while, but enough with the constant complaining and pity parties already! Every human being has a challenge, even those without sickle cell. It may not be a medical condition, it could be a family situation, problems with finances, issues with a relationship or another health problem. Life is full of challenges and problems and everyone has them. That is what life is about…dealing with your challenges, learning from them, and becoming a better person through each adversity.
I hope that you find this forum a learning experience. Please let us not use having sickle cell as a crutch or excuse of the reason why we are not achieving and succeeding. The only thing standing in the way of your success is YOU! List out your goals and dreams, and start doing your research. Find a way to make each dream a possibility. Take your time, and even though sickle cell may slow you down…never, ever, ever give up! You can do it. If I can do it, if they can do it–so can you.
SCD Soldier Network
Very Bright Foundation
I felt like I was reading my own words! I truely believe in your words. We must STOP letting scd control our lives and go after your dreams. No matter who you are you have some kind of challenge. I remember my mother saying to me if I can’t do it that way then find another way to do it and I did. You may have to adjust your path but you can achieve your goals with the desire, hard work and persistance. Keep Striving!
“I don’t refer to myself as a sufferer. I am not suffering, I am not miserable, I am not hopeless. Everyone has challenges, and having sickle cell is my challenge. I am living, loving and surviving.”
^^Amen.
Hi! I want to go to the american university of paris! However, its in Paris and I am from the south I know it would be freezing cold do you know what I might have to do, in case I get a crisis over there? Like health insurance stuff too. My parents will be miles away but I always wanted to live in Paris!
Nina, Amen! That is my belief as well.
@Kemi, do you live in America or UK now? With the cold, you mostly have to dress and keep yourself warm. I don’t know how the insurance system works over there, but they have a very strong Sickle Cell and Thallesemia Society that can probably be your best resource. Go to http://sicklecellwarriors.com/sc-connected/ and find them on the map. There are also many tips and advice in our Living With Sickle cell section found at http://sicklecellwarriors.com/category/livingscd/
Thank you! I live in America!