Dear Past Me: What You Overcame in Your Health Battles
Health, Wellness, & Renewal
💙☽☾❃🩸
Health, Wellness, & Renewal 💙☽☾❃🩸
May 12th Issue
Dear Past Me,
I see you. I remember the nights you cried quietly into hospital pillows, the moments you clenched your jaw to silence the pain, and the times you doubted you’d ever feel whole again. You lived in a body that often betrayed you, with symptoms that were misunderstood, overlooked, and minimized. Yet through it all, you fought. You didn’t know it then, but you were becoming the blueprint for resilience. Thank you for never giving up—because of your courage, I’m here today, alive and empowered.
A Warrior you are!
You faced battles most couldn’t imagine—blood clots that threatened your life, pulmonary embolisms that stole your breath, and the devastating loss of Raven that broke your heart in ways words could never capture. All while navigating the relentless weight of sickle cell disease. You had every reason to stop. Every reason to hide. But somehow, you continued to show up—for your children, for your family, and eventually, for yourself.
I know you felt invisible at times. The healthcare system didn’t always believe your pain. Society rarely made room for the complexity of your experience. But now, I stand as the voice you longed to hear. Today, through Warriors Speak Out and my advocacy with Red Stick Sickle Cell, I amplify voices like yours. I educate, I speak, and I empower. Not despite my pain—but because of it. You gave me the strength to turn hardship into healing—for myself and for others walking the same path.
What you endured birthed a deeper mission. From your story came purpose. Warriors Speak Out is more than a blog—it's a movement. It’s a platform for raising awareness, sharing lived experiences, and confronting the health disparities that too often surround sickle cell disease. Through our work with Red Stick Sickle Cell Initiative, we’re building community, advocating for proper care, and ensuring that no warrior feels alone in their journey.
To every warrior out there navigating sickle cell: know this—you are not cursed. Sickle cell is not a punishment. It is a condition, present but often unseen, and it does not define your worth. You do not have to be silent. You do not have to accept medical neglect or uninformed care. Question providers. Do your research. Learn your body. Study your triggers. Advocate fiercely. You are your own best expert.
And to the new parents—whether you carry the trait, live with the disease, or are raising a child who does—breathe. You are not alone. Your child is not broken. You are strong enough for this. Educate yourself, build your village, and know there is hope.
There’s still healing to do. There are still days when the weight feels heavy. But now I know how to give that pain meaning. I honor your journey by living intentionally, by advocating for others still fighting, and by raising children who know what strength truly looks like. You turned your battle scars into bridges. You made purpose out of pain. And I promise—your legacy will never go unnoticed.
With love and deepest gratitude,
Me, Now
