Some call us lazy, others call us weak.
But what many don’t understand is that as a person living with a chronic blood disorder like sickle cell, I am often tired and low on energy, not because I choose to be, but because of how my body is wired.
I used to take those words personally, pushing myself to the edge to prove them wrong. I would run when I should have walked. I would lift when I should have rested. I wanted to show the world that I could do everything everyone else could do.
These days, things are different. I have learned to understand, love myself more, and accept my reality. I realised now that many people speak from ignorance, not malice. This acceptance has brought me peace. I no longer work in silent competition with anyone. I know my limits, listen to my body, and move at my own pace.
What a health red blood cells looks like
**
How My Body is Wired**
As a sickle cell warrior, my red blood cells, which transport oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs, are sickle or crescent-shaped. These cells are rigid, fragile, and live for only about 10 to 20 days, compared to the 90 to 120 days of round, flexible red blood cells in people without the condition.
Because of this:
My oxygen supply is lower and slower, which explains why I often feel fatigued or breathless.
My body has to work harder to keep up with basic energy demands.
**
Why I Experience Pain Crises**
The rigid shape of sickled red blood cells increases the risk of them getting stuck in tiny blood vessels. This blockage reduces oxygen delivery to vital organs and tissues, leading to a vaso-occlusive pain crisis, the hallmark of sickle cell disorder.
This pain is nothing like a simple headache or muscle ache. If I had to describe it, I’d say: I would rather endure childbirth than go through a full-blown crisis. That’s how intense it can be.
What a sickled cells look like
The Chain Reaction
The short life span of sickled cells also leads to chronic anaemia and low red blood cell counts. My body can’t produce enough healthy cells fast enough. And since these cells die off quickly, they produce excess waste (bilirubin). When too much bilirubin builds up, my body struggles to clear it, resulting in jaundice.
Think of it this way: my red blood cells are like delivery trucks transporting oxygen and nutrients. But they have faulty tires. When too many “trucks” break down at once, traffic jams form inside my blood vessels, causing delays, blockages, and pain.
So the next time you see someone like me resting more than others or moving slower, remember: It’s not laziness or weakness; it's endurance. They are wired differently.
I'd be glad to know if you have met my kind in your life journey and what your thoughts were and are now.
Waiting in the comment section
All photos are sourced from Google
