Natasha tells her story growing up with Sickle cell

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LUSAKA Resident living with sickle cell has fought tooth and nail throughout her life as she tried to live a normal life whilst coping with the disease.

Natasha Musonda, narrates that graduating from college whilst having sickle cell disease (SCD) is probably the biggest accomplishment of her life to date.

Natasha told #Kalemba that illness interrupted most of her school journey as she often missed her classes and could not participate in most physical activities..

“This used to really frustrate me as I actually had a huge passion and desire for learning.”

“From a young age, I realized that I would often get tired a lot quicker than the other kids, especially when it came to certain subjects which required a lot more such as P.E [Physical Education],” she revealed.

Natasha said her inability to participate in most school activities put her in bad light with some teachers, as they thought she made up excuses.

“I would often feel like I had to work ten times harder just to prove myself in school,” she said.

She thanked her mum for always pushing her to reach her full potential with her academics, regardless of the disease,

Natasha disclosed that in secondary school she had less struggles, however during exam periods, she would often get stressed out because she aimed for good grades. “And that would usually trigger me to have a crisis.”

As Natasha went to college to study library and information science, she would still have a similar crisis but she persevered with the support of her friends.

“Graduating from college whilst having sickle cell is probably my biggest accomplishment to date and one that I will cherish forever because as much as it was a battle to get through my school years,

“I did it and I’m still standing which proves to me that I can do anything if I really put my mind to it,” she said.

When asked what the health fraternity should do in order to improve the lives of people living with sickle cell, Natasha said the Ministry of Health should ensure there is frequent medical evaluations to help assess the disease severity and progression.

She added that the ministry and other stakeholders should maintain the children’s sickle cell ward.

“And if possible put up a block for adult sickle cell patients unlike where one is admitted in any general ward with people suffering from other diseases,” she advised.

Natasha further implored the ministry of health and stakeholders to encourage the training of people, sensitize and educate the public on the disease and fund training of physician and scientists in sickle cell disease management.

She further called on the public to continue donating blood. And for the ministry to have essential drugs such as Hydroxyurea (a drug that prevents abnormal red blood cells from forming) and folic readily available.

By Moses Makwaya