Rhedd Maya

The fight warriors fight is a hundred percent underrated if you ask me. Especially for those of us with the SS genotype. From the intense pain to organ damages, bankruptcy...

When I was labeled as having HIV/AIDS as a child because of how skinny looked back then, I didn’t make much of it. Especially because I didn’t even know what...

While scrolling through sickle-cell.com's Facebook comments when I saw tons of comments about sickle cell warriors and addiction. All this time, I didn’t know other warriors faced the same problem...

Many times, the one thing most warriors worry about is fitting in. Why can’t I be like this guy or that girl? Why can’t I feel free to live how...

I didn’t know anything about hydroxyurea (hydroxycarbamide) until last year. The government gave out a few for free and I had no idea. Maybe because I stopped looking for a...

There are the days I feel alive and the days I don’t. Sometimes in a day, I could be both. Unfortunately, not everyone can tolerate the mood swings of others...

One of the hardest things to do is try to encourage yourself in your worse moments. It’s easy to smile and be yourself when you’re not sick or not experiencing...

Content Note: This article alludes to suicide. If you or a loved one are struggling, consider reading our mental health resources page. I am tired of being a warrior. At...

When most people talk about dating and marriage, it’s about the other person. For me, my mental health, self-care, and happiness come first before anyone else. I think dating is...

Sickle cell is a thief of joy and happiness. Most patients try to live through it all and smile as much as possible but this doesn’t take away the fact...

I recently got diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It seems the struggles of living with sickle cell keep piling up over the days, from one (unsolved) problem to another. I must...

After my mum's death, I had to go and live with my aunty Mabel. Dad enrolled me in a private school called Kay Billie Klear. It was attended by very...

Self-care is very essential to living and growth. Maintaining the stand to choose yourself every time is a real struggle for most people. Not that they disregard its importance and...

Content Warning: This article discusses abuse and suicidal thoughts. If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please text or call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or...

I believe I was born to be rich. I can tell by the size of my dreams and aspirations. I set goals that scare me and keep me awake at...

It is always wise to plan activities way ahead of time. This is supposed to help make the outcome be well planned out before the day to avoid stress and...

Pain is unbearable, even for the strongest warrior and soldiers. The measurements health officials put on pain are totally unnecessary if you ask me. Why? Whether the pain is at...

One problem most SCD patients face is verbal abuse. The things people say to us are sometimes too mean and unfair. We mostly can’t do anything about this. It practically...

When sickle cell patients talk about how it affects their love life, most people think it’s an extreme exaggeration. Sadly, this is actually true. The first person I ever dated...