Sicle- Cell: A Stress on Child Development

I was born with a blood disease common among people with African decent all over the world. This disease is called Sickle Cell. According to Web MD, "Sickle cell disease is caused by a genetic abnormality in the gene for hemoglobin, which results in the production of sickle hemoglobin. When oxygen is released from sickle hemoglobin, it sticks together and forms long rods, which damage and change the shape of the red blood cell. The sickle red blood cells causes the symptoms of sickle cell disease." It is inherited and requires a lot of attention and pain management.
As a child, it was difficult for me to have a stable social life and social skills because I was usually in and out of hospitals, missing school, and absent from major social events. I could not stay out late because it will be too cool, when I recover, I would not be able to do much because I want to build up the strength I had. I  was know as a sickler which is what people call Sickle Cell patients. I had a wonderful and supportive family, they are still supportive. They made growing up for me as normal as possible; I have an undergraduate degree and basic resources that I need to survive as a person. 
Regardless as a child, I felt isolated; like I was the only person that understood me. The inability to do what my colleagues did made me introverted and less willing to interact over time. As an adult, I still struggle with the challenges surrounding my health, but I can better handle them now. I had positive and negative experiences and discoveries. I discovered writing in isolation; i write poems now because I used to write about the unpleasant experiences I faced as a child. I learned how to enjoy reading and instead of isolation, I discovered solitude. I couldn't interact well and I am still learning daily about the right and acceptable way of interacting with different people who are not my family members.

In Nigeria, Sickle Cell is still a major blood disease that kills people and frustrates most family members. Awareness about sickle cell keeps going on, workshops are organised on choosing the right spouse with an appropriate genotype.  Sickle Cell says pick the right partner and that is the struggle most people face including myself. Health issues constantly clash with culture, tradition and religion. The major problem of patients with Sickle Cell in Nigeria is the non availability of standard and adequate health care. Despite this people still survive up until the age of 90.

References
Web MD (n.d.) Sickle Cell Disease and Pain. Retrieved from: http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/pain-management-sickle-cell-disease