Living

Our minds are really amazing. They can make us believe we’re not in pain when we should be or that we are in pain/danger when we’re not. I really believe...

We all know that mental health and mental health issues are not talked about enough and I feel like it is because it is not encouraged in many homes, especially...

I am proud to announce that my newest children's book will be published in the summer of 2023. It will be a special book that I wrote together with my...

My mother and I have a complicated relationship. I am not sure there is a mother-daughter relationship in existence that is not complicated. Treading the delicate balance between parent and...

I can't believe it's been 3 years since my transplant. For most of my life, I thought sickle cell pain would always take center stage in my life, dictating where...

As of April 22, 2023, around 11:53 am, my life forever changed. I went from being Halimat Shadia Owolobi Olaniyan – author, philanthropist, sickle cell warrior and all-around pretty cool...

I try to treat myself periodically to a massage technique called medical massage from a licensed medical massage therapist. A massage therapist rubs and kneads the soft tissues of your...

I've always thought that there had to be some health benefits of sunshine. Growing up in dull England will make you start to wonder about these sorts of things. I...

This article is for caregivers who sometimes feel lonely or sad. I've thought about it for a long time if it's smart to write about emotions when I'm a bit...

As I continue to foster relationships with fellow advocates, one thing rings true for all of us – we grew up not knowing any other person living with sickle cell...

Have you heard of The Match? Well, it’s the most important day of medical school. The day all 4 years, and all the work before/outside of the 4 years, is...

As a parent of a child with sickle cell disease (SCD), it is very important that we know exactly where to get the necessary information. A mother called me in...

A few weeks ago, I was invited to the Sickle Cell Community Consortium's Leadership Summit in Atlanta. It was the first time health leaders, patient advocates, caregivers, pharmaceutical companies, and...

My little princess has been diagnosed with chronic back pain since the summer of 2021. Every time I think about it or write about it, a piece of my heart...

Remember when I was on my period and nervous about giving blood for the first time? Well, that appointment had to be rescheduled because of the weather, so crisis averted...

I had a conversation with another warrior who is also a friend recently. We were just catching up when she asked how the change in weather was treating me and...

Last year I wrote an article about the challenges I encountered at my daughter's school. Some of the accommodations we had in New Jersey for the 504 plan we don't...

The other day I was speaking to a dear friend and we found ourselves digging up the "Ex files," thinking of love lost and love won. As we reflected on...

Growing up, I always knew my blood would be my highest hurdle. Imagine being made to carry your enemy inside of you. All the while it destroys you from the inside...

While the year is still new, I want to talk about all the exciting things going on in my life and share updates on all the things I’ve been working...