Battle #2 - Dealing with negative beliefs and actions

People can say and do hurtful things.
Sometimes it is because they are uninformed. Sometimes it is because they are simply unkind.
For Sickle Cell Warriors, this misinformation and unkindness, can manifest itself in several ways:
1. Social exclusion

• Being teased or ostracized when one is a child or a teen.

2. Employment exclusion

• Not being hired or even being fired due to one’s medical needs

3. Medical Exclusion

• Being doubted or simply not believed. For example, being told that one cannot be in pain because there is no crying or cringing.

• Or being told that one has only come to the hospital to seek drugs for a recreational addiction.

• Unfortunately, this has happened often enough for there to be a body of medical and social literature devoted to the issue.

3. Societal Exclusion

As with other people in general, there can be a lack of respectful, compassionate, or adequate care based on:

• Race

• Ethnic or group identity

• Gender

• Income level

• Level of education

• And so on …

These quiet but ongoing battles can take an emotional toll.
For Sickle Cell Warriors, misinformation, unkindness, and harmful self-interest can manifest itself in several ways:
It can cause fear, anxiety, sadness, depression.
Battle Image 1

Being teased for having yellow eyes

Battle Image 2

Not being believed when in pain

Battle Image 3

Being fired due to medical needs

Battle Image 4

Being disrespected based on income status