Warrior Champion: Defying the Odds with Sickle Cell Disease

Warrior Champion: Defying the Odds with Sickle Cell Disease Childhood with Sickle Cell Disease in the British Virgin Islands during the seventies was just but a life struggle. My story is all about strength, perseverance and nothing is impossible no matter how hard life tries to make it for you. This is my story of a warrior champion who fights life despite life challenges and strives to help every warrior fight life with full force. A Childhood of Innocence and Pain. I was born a seemingly healthy child, the youngest in my family, and the only one diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease. As a little girl, I was joyful, carefree, and full of dreams. I loved fashion and travel. I saw myself as a budding fashionista, often dressed in cute outfits with a little handbag slung over my shoulder. However, I was more into traveling and wanted to explore the world. In the journey of my life somewhere along the way, the picture of my childhood began to change. The chubby, healthy little girl I once was started losing weight, and pain began to dominate my days. The First Sickle Cell Crisis At age 53, I can still remember my early years growing up in Tortola, BVI with my older siblings, especially my eldest sister. She often took me to the beach with her family, which I enjoyed. But one Saturday, after a fun day at the beach, I was suddenly gripped by excruciating pain that night. My mother, terrified and unsure of what was happening, prayed over me as I cried in agony. Without a car, she carried me to the hospital on foot, all the while praying, Lord, take care of my baby girl. I don t know what to do, but please let her live. When we arrived, a nurse took me away from her. This was my first Sickle Cell crisis, but we didn t know it at the time. It was only the beginning of many more painful episodes.

Diagnosis: Facing a New Reality It was not until I was in the beginning of my high school year that I d been hospitalized and diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease, an illness that accounted for the horrible pains that my body went through. Moreover, I was becoming paralyzed in my legs though the doctors could not understand why this was so. I personally saw my mother get heartbroken by the news. The hope, which once burned in her eyes, faded away. I recall even begging her to tell me what the doctor had told her. When she finally did, I was able to tell that she was scared for my life. I said to her, They may have delivered me, but they cannot tell you when I will die. So, let s get to work, and cheer up! During those first years after my diagnosis, I lost school days, was given high doses of pain medications, was frequently hospitalized and received IV fluids treatment for metaphysical pain. Then at 17 years, I suffered another big blow in my life, my mother died due to stomach cancer on June 25th, 1988. And before she died, she encouraged me to embrace my strength, reminding me that I was resilient like my siblings, stating, You are strong indeed. Never forget it.

Defying the Odds: The Spirit of a Warrior I was told I wouldn t live past my 18th birthday the doctor. It is for this reason that today I am not able to fall into those anticipated depths. A few months following my mother s death, me and another sibling relocated to the United States of America to an older sibling. For some time, and this was on my 18th birthday, I contemplated the possibility that the doctor was right. In the morning I prepared some cereal for them and I also baked a cake to mark the occasion with my sisters. However I got chest pain at some later time of the day and the pain was still there no matter how I tried to relax. I laid down because I expect it to go away on its own; the pain doesn t leave after hours. I put on some warm water for a bath I remember; woke up next in a hospital bed. As far as my feeling of routine was concerned, we were still in the first days of my treatment, and transfusion terrified me. I could only pray, Please God, don t let me die. But I survived. It came to me that the warrior that resides in me was more forceful than health related diagnoses. Being a fighter, I decided to live a life that was full of passion and would be meaningful. A Message to Fellow Warriors To every person living with Sickle Cell Disease, to every parent, spouse, family member, friend, caregiver, or acquaintance of someone with this disease: YOU ARE STRONG. Don t let anyone tell you otherwise. Together, we can defy the odds and be champions!

Embracing Life and Adventure. Despite my challenges, I have lived a life of adventure and exploration. I have traveled across many U.S. states, visited Dubai, UAE, explored Mexico, and toured other Caribbean islands. As the Executive Director of Phoenix Rising Travel Services, Inc. , a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, my mission is to educate, inspire, and advocate for the disabled and Sickle Cell Disease communities. I believe in the transformative power of travel and the joy of experiencing different cultures and cuisines. Traveling can improve your quality of life, even if you are living with a disability. Exciting Opportunities and Events. Hawaiian Vacation Giveaway In honor of National Sickle Cell Awareness Month (September) and my birth month (October), we are offering a special Hawaiian vacation giveaway. Donors who contribute $1,000 or more will receive this vacation (recipient is responsible for airfare, taxes, and fees). Fundraising Shop Visit our fundraising shop, where new items are added frequently. All proceeds support accessible travel scholarships, providing crucial human resources, services, and products for those in need. Join Me on a Trip to Ghana in October 2025 I invite you to join me on an extraordinary cultural journey to Ghana, Africa, in October 2025. This trip will include visits to three cities Accra, Kumasi, and Elmina and offer daily breakfast, airport transfers, an English-speaking tour guide, and, most importantly, a traditional naming ceremony. This is more than a trip; it s a celebration of life and culture

Conclusion: A Call to Continue the Journey Throughout the time I have been living with Sickle Cell Disease I have faced many difficulties yet also transformation, strength, and learning. I have learnt not to fight life and give challenges a wide berth but to live to the fullest. I have been able to travel and sample the cultures of different countries, and meet often interesting characters. For the team at Phoenix Rising Travel Services Inc., the transformation of people s lives through travel is our business. It is our own conviction that any person with or without disabilities should have the ability to travel and go out and meet new people having the experience of new things all over the world. I propose you to walk this path with us. This is because thereby engaging in our events, joining me on a trip to Ghana or aiding in our fundraising endeavors, our beneficiaries are the better for it. It is high time now to let the impaired person step out of their house and get to work, travel with ease, live life to the fullest; while we can unite and conquer this world as a warrior does. I believe it's time we keep on rising against the odds, supporting each other, proving to the world that despite all odds we are strong and unstoppable. Well, whatever life brings to us, we are fighters together! Contact us Website- https://phoenixrisingtravel.org Mail- cprtravelagency@gmail.com Phone no- +1706-240-4049

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