This morning started on my sickle cell mission of day. To see what true resources and support groups to uplift sickle cell warriors are available. At first, things looked hopefully in my google search "sickle cell support groups in Raleigh" but it quickly was met with dishearten feelings!
You read that right two groups in all of Raleigh and triangle area! I didn't understand how this could be. Honestly, when I was growing up my support came from my amazing family and community uplifting me. From my nurse and medical staff on the hospital floor make sure Faustine got better and taken care of while in the hospital. Over the year, my nurse became second mothers and big sisters that would be there for me.
Being in support groups was different when I was growing up because there was one group and I attended it once. I was frustrated not only with how the group was structured but the sickle cell warriors in the group. Let me example. When I walked into this group in my early teen preteen years I expected to meet strong sickle cell warriors not letting life beat them down. Well, I found the exact opposite when I got there!
All the Sickle Cell Warriors were beaten down emotional and mentally that they were suck in life. That our illness had won the war in their lives. It hurt my heart to much to attend more meetings. Some people were on oxygen staying they have to be home schooled, others were saying why try when sickle cell is going to hold them back or another reason on why no point in trying. I started to lose my cool because the thought process is 90% of the battle. How negative they were got me very upset. I realized that there was no changing their viewpoint by swinging my figure at them telling them you are wrong. I left that meeting realizing more than ever Sickle Cell Warriors need examples and roles models that are succeeding in life with sickle cell.
So I left that group meeting more determined than ever to succeed in life and be an example to other Sickle Cell Warriors that sickle cell doesn't shackle me from accomplishing my goals. So they will have & see the knowledge, understand and power within them to accomplish whatever they want in live.
All these years later, I have accomplished that goal of being an example for Sickle Cell Warriors in my community and anyone that I meet. Only problem is all the support groups and meetings I was hoping to find to help uplift sickle cell patients up aren't anywhere to be found. My heart hurts that we are still in this dark corner of the room needing support and light being shined on sickle cell community.
Guess I will have to grab my light and make people shine their lights in the dark corner of the room to bring sickle cell to light. I pray with more research I do find more programs and support groups to contact to help.
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