It has taken me quite some time to over stand that in many cases its not out of malice or hatred, its mostly due to ignorance and lack of knowledge. However much I sometimes want to slap people sideways for saying something that deeply hit a nerve, I am reminded by one Ssebandeke Ashiraf on his ealier post on myths, "A person who has been equipped with knowledge is better positioned to guide and also do the right thing. Myths, stereotypes, stigma and ignorance have all been erased by people who are well equipped with the right and useful knowledge ."
And the only way to do so is to write new stories that share and demonstrate the courage within our community on the many levels we see and relate to it. Stories that relate to the community on a deeper sence of love, vulnerability and humanity. Humanity in that does not isolate the suffering to individuals but recognizes the overall suffering experienced in our communities.
Anyway, for all the Sickle Cell Warriors, families, friends and concerned citizens, who don't know how to deal in such situations, here is a list of misconception and fallacious statements that you've heard atleast once in your lifetime.
"Sickle Cell Disease is as a result of a curse." Nott! This is mostly heard in the rural setting where information about the disease is still *hush hush* and people don't really speak about it. Saying that SCD is a curse goes to show how little knowledge and information of the disease is available to the local community. In such a case, proceed from to explain SCD from the beginning
"Sickle Cell comes from your side of the family." We explained how gene transference in an earlier post HERE. It takes two parents to contribute to the genetics of the child. Hence two parents to contribute to the gene make up of a child with SCD (SS)
"Sickle Cell Warriors cannot have families". Like anybody else, Sickle Cell Warriors can lead healthy fulfilling lives. The key to this is to know your body so well and its Sickle Cell manifestation that you can easily anticipate and manage your condition. Moreover have the right support systems to enable you in life. This means, hospitals, doctors, medication and most importantly, knowledge. Once you accept and know how to manage your condition, your partner will also learn to accept and learn your condition as well. Provided you're open and frank and share your experience. Be patient with them.
"Sickle Cell is a form of cancer." Well, I know some of the symptoms/side eefects we exhibit maybe as servere as those exhibited by cancer patients; from the popular medication 'hydroxyurea', a chemo drug, widely prescribed and used around the world to manage SCD. But I assure you, it is not cancer. SCD is a genetic blood disease that causes deformation of round full red blood cells to hard crescent shapes red blood cells.
"Sickle Cell Warriors need lots of iron.". Yes and No. SC warriors need the right amount of iron. If they have too little, due to constant destruction of red blood cells, it causes anemia. On the other hand, too much iron can cause iron buildup which leads to iron poisoning , that can damage your body. Its a delicate balance you have to maintain within your body. As long as your diet is rich with wholesome iron rich foods like fruits and vegetables, there is no need to worry about your iron levels. And as long as your blood is functioning at an optimum, your body will follow suit as well.
"Sickle Cell Warriors are immune to malaria.". This is quite false. The only kind of Sickle Cell that is immune to malaria is the Sickle Cell trait (AS). This gene was developed 1000+ years ago as a defense mechanism against Malaria in the Agricultural revolution. Only on reproduction of two individuals who carried the trait, did the disease come into being. Sickle Cell Warriors are susceptible to malaria and in some cases fatal if proper treatment isn't administered.
Is there any we've missed, What other myths have you heard ?
Love Life!
Lea
No comments:
Post a Comment