Overcoming Worry & Stigma: Sadiq's Story (Part 2)

I introduced you to Sadiq, a 20-year-old young man who has sickle cell disease type SS in part one, Living with Sickle Cell: Sadiq's Story. Despite all the challenges, he is working hard on his future and can call himself an engineer in 3 years.

How can I manage my fears about living with SCD and the stigma that surrounds it?

The way this warrior stands in life is very inspiring and even more so if you listen to the way he deals with setbacks and disappointments. Do you want to know how he deals with his fears about marriage and finding a job? Then read on quickly!

Difficulty finding a partner

Sadiq is confident that there must be more awareness about sickle cell disease. When it comes to entering a relationship and taking the step to get married, you run into some painful situations as a sickle cell warrior.

"Marrying an SCD warrior is an abomination, nobody wants to marry someone with SCD. Family does not accept you. In Nigeria they see SCD as black magic, people with SCD are cursed."

Is awareness the solution?

Looking at the 20-year-old Sadiq, with sadness in his eyes makes me wonder as a mom "How is it possible that people see a health condition as black magic?"

Sadiq answered, "We need more awareness about SCD!"

Striving for a dream job

That a young man of 20 years old must worry about a possible rejection in love because he has SCD is sad. Unfortunately, this is not his only concern as a young man. As indicated in part one, his dream is to be an engineer within a short time. And yet he wonders if he can find his dream job. Because he hears and sees that there is a lot of discrimination around SCD warriors.

"People prefer to hire someone who has no health problems."

Staying optimistic and striving for prosperity

Sadiq has a beautiful gift as a person and that is his positive mindset. Despite all the setbacks, he remains optimistic and indicates that he would like to share his story with me because he wanted to step outside his comfort zone to motivate other warriors because if he can, they can too.

"Stay strong and keep moving. Always strive and prosper."

How can we support sickle cell warriors?

With this sentence, he ended our conversation. I have been pondering how as a mother I can contribute to sickle cell warriors who are going through the same thing as Sadiq and many others. I believe we should focus more on mental health and counseling. Because we must provide our SCD community with a listening ear, a shoulder, and advice when they ask for it.