I’m Damilola Fatima Ndarabi. I discovered I had sickle cell disease at the age of 5. Ever since living and coping with it hasn’t been easy. I can recall spending most of my childhood in and out of the hospital, so much so, I once had my exams written on the sickbed. My childhood was fun-free. I had several restrictions and codes of conduct to keep me from falling sick. I could hardly spend quality time with my mates. I eventually got used to solitude. I’m thankful to God for the wonderful family he gave me. Especially, my mum, she’s my angel on earth.
I’m a lawyer-in-the-making and I was inspired primarily by my late dad (who was a lawyer too) and secondarily, by the urge for justice and order. If there’s a word of advice I’d like to share, it is that being a warrior of SCD doesn’t mean we are handicapped. We can always do it if it’s wanted hard enough. SCD limits me in so many ways, the major part being the fact that I’m quite adventurous. I love to tour and travel, but, considering the war against our red blood cells, I had to erase excess stress.
Whenever I feel like I want to quit, I think of what got me started, and try rekindling the flames of motivation. I experience pains frequently, but, since my drugs aren’t far away, studying goes on. That doesn’t stop me from skipping classes but I’m grateful for the wonderful course mates and understanding lecturers I’ve got. All we need is acceptance. I started having peace the moment I accepted myself as SPECIAL and RARE! I listen to my body and pray for good health.
[stextbox id=”custom”]Never look down on yourself, and never allow it from others.[/stextbox] You are one of the strongest agents of God on earth; never misuse that privilege by listening to the ill-talks of the world. No matter what you are going through with SCD, Always, I repeat — Always stand, walk and Live TALL. Once a warrior, always a warrior!
Am a father of the beautiful Nicole Natasha 4, who has SCD.Am proud of my daughter because she is intelligent n lovely.Sometimes I shed tears when she is in pain. But am always moved by the Worriors encauragements.My dream is to start a foundation for people with scd in Kenya where misconceptions about scd reign.Am always in shock on how children with scd are treated 2 hv curses which is a complete lie.
At last someone from Kenya! Jak, are you part of a support group or something? I have looked for a foundation and found none! Am in mombasa, I would love to do something but dont know where to start!
Am a mother of one year and four months old boy with SCD.i love my son so much and i enjoy watching him play and devlope but am brought down whenever i see he is in pain and wish there was something I could do .its so frustrating when you go to a hospital and they do not understand the disease because its said its only in some part of the country e.g nyanza,western.some awareness need to be done for SCD
Damilola and others who are sickle cell anaemia a strong and reliable solution is at your doorstep contact me on my e-mail: buwamikenny@ovi.com Or call 08185674415 for more genuine information
It is very wonderful reading other peoples’ experience. Sometimes being a carrier could be a lonely walk. But thank God for support from family, friends. In Nigeria, there is much awareness. so that has really helped. And most times, the medical team have always been wonderful. I am 46years and going strong to the glory of God. Yes, I trained as a lawyer but currently run a private school. In my experience, I learnt to do a lot of research, know my dos and donts and above all trust in God,s goodness and mercy always. I have two surviving children. A girl and a boy. The girl is 17years whilst the boy is just two. My girl is not a SCD but my boy is. Yet, I will not exchange him for anything in this world. Because of my experience, I ran the genotype test for him early and that has helped us to at least be proactive. Yes, he has had a few crisis but with prayers and adequate medical intervention, he is going strong. For me, it is settled in my spirit that God is good and He gives good gifts. and my boy is a very good and precious gift.
I learnt my pains would persist from age 10,I believe that was when I really understood what it meant to be a carrier,I can remember the painful moments in and out of the hospital,skipping classes,and living different from others. To the glory of God I have a great family,my elder brother is also a carrier,out 6 children,myself and my elder brother are carriers of the SCD,to the glory of God we have a loving family,I call my mum super mum,a rare gem and my dad the gallant soldier,without loving family and caring friends,life would be very very tough for an SCD patient,thank God I have such.
The pains we feel in crisis,I call it undefined pains,so so excruciating, I wouldn’t wish it upon even my enemy,I have had 3 major surgeries on my left leg, due to arthritis that led to avascular necrosis of the hip,I had a successful hip replacement but currently on crutches currently, I can’t move my left knee 360 dedrees more because the cap is fused together with the tibia bone,had a tendon release surgery but no change,so I manage myself with the pains everyday, hoping a miracle comes forth,but one thing for sure is I know I AM A CONQUEROR, hoping to start up a foundation also,I really wanna help out,can’t imagine those in our condition without any form of assistance, hurts so bad to think of it because I know the experience, hoping a miracle comes forth and also a drastic measure taken up by our Nigerian government for this cause,we are suffering, more awareness need be created. A lot we can achieve and put a stop to this disease when we come together.
I’m currently on crutches and mostly indoors,I’m hoping for a surgery on my knee,so I mostly remain indoor writing songs,reading,eating and resting well,staying healthy. A lot I have to say to my fellow carriers out there,the worse you can do is give up,don’t stop being strong,I’ve seen to hell on earth with this but I survived,if I can survive,you surely can and will survive no matter your predicaments.. Keep the dos and don’t and pray hard to God,IT IS WELL..
My name is Japheth Ezekiel Maichibi from Nigeria, a 400 level psychology student,currently out of school due to my situation, hoping to complete school soon..07061668414, Japh_maichibi@yahoo.com
I learnt my pains would persist from age 10,I believe that was when I really understood what it meant to be a carrier,I can remember the painful moments in and out of the hospital,skipping classes,and living different from others. To the glory of God I have a great family,my elder brother is also a carrier,out 6 children,myself and my elder brother are carriers of the SCD,to the glory of God we have a loving family,I call my mum super mum,a rare gem and my dad the gallant soldier,without loving family and caring friends,life would be very very tough for an SCD patient,thank God I have such.
The pains we feel in crisis,I call it undefined pains,so so excruciating, I wouldn’t wish it upon even my enemy,I have had 3 major surgeries on my left leg, due to arthritis that led to avascular necrosis of the hip,I had a successful hip replacement but currently on crutches currently, I can’t move my left knee 360 dedrees more because the cap is fused together with the tibia bone,had a tendon release surgery but no change,so I manage myself with the pains everyday, hoping a miracle comes forth,but one thing for sure is I know I AM A CONQUEROR, hoping to start up a foundation also,I really wanna help out,can’t imagine those in our condition without any form of assistance, hurts so bad to think of it because I know the experience, hoping a miracle comes forth and also a drastic measure taken up by our Nigerian government for this cause,we are suffering, more awareness need be created. A lot we can achieve and put a stop to this disease when we come together.
I’m currently on crutches and mostly indoors,I’m hoping for a surgery on my knee,so I mostly remain indoor writing songs,reading,eating and resting well,staying healthy. A lot I have to say to my fellow carriers out there,the worse you can do is give up,don’t stop being strong,I’ve seen to hell on earth with this but I survived,if I can survive,you surely can and will survive no matter your predicaments.. Keep the dos and don’t and pray hard to God,IT IS WELL..
My name is Japheth Ezekiel Maichibi from Nigeria, a 400 level psychology student,currently out of school due to my situation, hoping to complete school soon..07061668414, Japh_maichibi@yahoo.com