29/05/2025
If You’re a Man Living with Sickle Cell Disease, This Message Is for You – My Sickle Cell Truth
Being a man with sickle cell is a different kind of strength. It’s not the type people clap for in public—it’s the kind you build quietly, when no one’s watching, and you're just trying to survive another day with your body, your emotions, and your dreams intact.
If you’re a man living with sickle cell, let me tell you a few things I’ve learned on this journey:
Learn to live on your own.
Why? Because love, especially romantic love, doesn’t always show up for us the way we hoped. I’ve had relationships that started well, but ended the moment they found out I have Sickle Cell. Some left because I couldn’t always hold a stable job during crisis periods. Others were pressured by family—mothers-in-law whispering, “He won’t live long” or “She deserves someone stronger.”
That pain? I turned it into power.
My mother raised me to be independent. From a young age, she taught me to cook, clean, care for myself. It wasn’t just about survival—it was about dignity. And that training still carries me today. Funny enough, in my last relationship, my ex used to say I cooked better than her. I handled the meals, the chores, everything. But even that wasn’t enough. One day, she left—because her family didn’t believe in our future.
That day, I promised myself:
I won’t depend on anyone for my survival—not even love.
So, to every man living with sickle cell: Don’t wait for a woman to cook for you, clean for you, or stay with you out of pity. Learn to do it all yourself. Not because you’re not worthy of love—but because you are worthy of loving yourself first.
And if love does come—real love—the kind that sees you and stays with you despite the condition, let it come to a complete version of you, not a broken one begging to be accepted.
Being a man with sickle cell is not a weakness. It’s a daily test of strength, resilience, and self-discipline.
So please, take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and financially. You’ll need it when the hard days come—and you’ll be proud when you stand tall, knowing you built yourself from the ground up.
And if someone leaves because of your condition?
Let them go. That’s not your person.
God has someone better or a deeper purpose waiting.
Until then…
Live your life.
Cook your meals.
Do your chores.
Enjoy your peace.
And above all, love yourself.
Because self-love is the strongest kind of love there is.✍️
REAL TALK. REAL TRUE
~ BROS ME
