Opening to the Public

Hi guys, Julie here !!! So let me start off by saying that I have never been the type to speak about my health to anyone. I have always tried to cover it, so coming out publicly and sharing my experience is something way out of my comfort zone. However, I should’ve done it a long time ago. I would be lying if I said I was never embarrassed if people found out about me having Sickle Cell Disease and honestly I still am sometimes. I never really mentioned it to anyone simply because I do not like it when people feel sorry for me. Also the fact that as soon as people find out they begin to treat me a little differently then they did before. I can jump as high as anyone without Sickle Cell Disease, I can walk just as far, and talk just as much (if not, probably more..hehe) as anyone without the disease. I never quite understood why people would view or treat me differently. I do not like attention, I am very 'to myself' so that has a lot to do with it. Whenever I did mention it to anyone I would say, "It’s just a blood problem but it’s nothing too serious.” I became more embarrassed of telling people when I was a freshman in high school. I had my first episode towards the end of December during my first year, which caused me to miss two weeks of school. I only told one person about my sickle cell disease and when I got back to school people would say “oh I hope you're not contagious." They looked grossed out and would push themselves away from me. I never let them know it bothered me. However, it made me more embarrassed about it. I am 20 years old now and I can honestly say that I am finally accepting my disease and myself. I’m also learning more about it and about myself each and every day that passes through. It comes with many complications, but I learned to cope with most of them, although I am still adjusting to many different things. As I said, coming out publicly about my health problems is beyond my comfort zone so cope with me as I learn to be more open with it! I will be posting something new each and every week.. it can be a story..or even a fun fact, so be aware! :)