Showing posts with label kenya photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kenya photography. Show all posts

SICKLE CELL WARRIOR #16

10003 Warrior Project Sickle Cell Warrior #16


“The possibility to love another scared me; terrified me actually. Being a free spirit, apart of me is most alive when roaming, than I became a mother and for the first time I felt my heart live outside my body and that's the moment his laughter became my medicine.”
― Nikki Rowe

A mother with her young Sickle Cell Warrior. We salute all the mothers who take care of us in the dark of the night when the pain is most unbearable. Those who stand by our bedside with care to push us through all manner of pain. Mothers who brave themselves through the tears and remember to be the sunshine in our lives.

Love Life!

Sickle Cell Warrior #14

10003 Warrior Project Sickle Cell Warrior #14
Photo Credits : Paul Masamo

Hi, 

My name is Joy Risper Omondi, I am 6 years old and I live and study in Kisumu County. I am the first born in our family and I have one brother who is almost 2 and also a Sickle Cell Warrior. I live with my parents and due to having Sickle Cell Disease I always feel like my parents are discouraged by everything. They find it too much to take good care for me and my brother but they keep supporting and comforting me when in crises. I don't really understand what Sickle Cell is, all i know is I get sick a lot. The doctor has not explained what it is, my parents tell me it has no cure. I only can attend schools nearby my home for my parents’ fear of attacks while in school. I always live in fear of who will take care of me when I grow up like my parents do currently.  
As a young child I would like people living with Sickle Cell Disease to be treated equally and be given great medical care to enable us live a healthy normal life. 


Love Life!
Risper


Sickle Cell Symptom #3 - PAIN

This is a story of pain.
Have you ever been in so much pain that you call out to the gods to take your life?
Well, for 23 years I've been living with this kind of pain.

My earliest memory was of feeling this tightness in my chest. At 4 years old, diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia and admitted for Pneumonia, I didn’t know what this discomfort was. Feeling the weight of the world on my chest, pulling and tugging from either side, I could not fully understand why my body was punishing me this way. Breathing was strenuous and uncomfortable, but all I wanted was someone to tell me all will be well, and that I didn’t have to feel this way ever again.
But like the many other Sickle Cell crises to come, I was given a combination of pethidine and morphine, very heavy pain medication that put me immediately to sleep as if the pain never existed. This is the kind of experience Sickle Cell warriors go through. Living in post trauma and constant fear of not knowing when this pain will come and if you'll pull through to the other side of a pain free body.

PAIN - Sickle Cell Crises

Pain episodes (crises) can occur without warning when sickle cells block blood flow and decrease oxygen delivery. This damages the cells in the affected tissue, resulting in the tissue becoming swollen, which irritates nearby nerve endings. People describe this pain as sharp, intense, stabbing, or throbbing. Severe crises can be even more uncomfortable than post-surgical pain or childbirth.
Pain can strike almost anywhere in the body and in more than one spot at a time. But the pain often occurs in the
  • Lower back
  • Legs
  • Arms
  • Abdomen
  • Chest
  • pelvis
  • ribs
  • spine
Most pain episodes do not have an obvious reason for their occurrence.  But here are some possible causes and things that your child should avoid if possible:
  • Swimming in cold water
  • Being out in cold weather
  • Getting too hot
  • Getting dehydrated from not drinking enough fluids
  • Colds and infections
  • Overdoing it—not getting enough sleep and rest
  • Drinking alcohol or smoking
  • Menstruation (getting your period)
  • Stress
  • Being around second-hand smoke 

Treating Pain at Home

Remember:  pain is a sign that something is wrong. Firs identify the cause of pain or the trigger and control or eliminate it. Pain is best treated using a variety of non-drug treatments along with medication
For example, you may need to guide yourself by using relaxation techniques, even if you're already familiar with how to do it. Other examples of non-drug treatments include massage, hot or cold packs, relaxation and guided imagery, distraction, music, food remedies and also reading to yourself. 
In addition one should drink lots of water and take pain reducing herbal treatment and foods.


10003 Natural PainKillers

To all Sickle Cell Warriors, no one can claim to know more pain than you. However I am here to urge you that even though pain is what you leave with, it doesn’t have to dictate the way you live your life. Don’t let the discomfort dull the light in your life and destroy the great parts that make us who we are; our ability to be tender with ourselves and humanity and the clarity to always find hope
I have been able to turn pain into a pillar of strength. By understanding that I am made stronger by it, I use it as a motivator to better my health and life. Pain is a signal and an indicator that the body gives to show us there is something wrong, and we need to heed and listen to rectify that which is causing our bodies to scream in pain.

I have lived 3 years now without severe debilitating pain. I still experience pain here and there but manageable pain. In this journey of ascension to a healthy pain free body, I take care of my physical, emotional and physiological body through what I consume. This is due to consuming a healthy organic and natural plant based only diet, to deliberately allowing high positive wholesome information to be fed into my mind. The conscientious choice of only feeding my body life giving, high frequency and positive energy has kept me medication and hospital free for 3 years now.
Start today, start now.  Uplift yourself by the choices you make. Don’t let pain control the direction of your life, let it be an indicator for making better choices in how you live your life. Take a deep breath and let it go!

Comment below and share what your understanding of pain is and how you manage it.



10003 Pain Quote. Photo Credit: Mutua Matheka


Sickle Cell Warrior #13

10003 Sickle Cell Warrior #13
Lea
26 Warrior Years

"Sickle Cell is the best thing that ever happened to me.
It is not about the pain, the stigma and the depression. Its about what I have gained experiencing all of it. My ability to experience pain has increased my capacity to feel beyond that which many people can. And for me, stigma and depression are a constant test in my personal journey of self acceptance and self love. The daily physical , emotional and mental battles have made me the person I AM today, they prepare me to win this war I was born into. Everyday is an opportunity to live, love and learn. To those Sickle Cell Warriors who have yet to see their beauty, I urge you to trust the process, as messy as it is., and know that nothing happens by chance.

This title Sickle Cell Warrior, is a true priviledge."


Love Life!
Lea

Sickle Cell Warrior #12

10003 Sickle Cell Warrior #12

Caroline
23 Warrior Years

I'm a lover of all things life who likes to make friends and make merry.
Aside from that, i'm a Sickle Cell Warrior. Being a warrior and achieving a lot in life is somewhat an impossible venture but the far I have come shows it is possible. One can be whatever he/she wishes to.



Love Life!

Caroline

Sickle Cell Warrior #11

10003 Sickle Cell Warrior #11
Etemesi
29 Warrior Years

I am a warrior born 29 years ago, and the journey has been full of pain and joy  at the same time. Like other warriors I have been in and out of hospital, and also like other warriors I have found unique gift that makes me special and significant.

Painful episodes and less frequent depression made me look at life as big mountain that I cannot climb. True, life is a  mountain I cant climb; especially if, my family and friends constantly look for hope in my situation. However, I can climb this mountain and bring hope; especially  when I look beyond the sickle cell  wound to the power of Christ that is in me. Power that works within me; that will enable the warrior in me, to reach the mountain of hope. 

I can now proudly say that I enjoy life as a warrior especially when I know that my significant role is to be a product of hope to my generation. As Paul puts it, that I can boast all the gladly about my weakness, so that Christ power may rest on me.. And in turn as a warrior, I will not only be a messenger of hope But a product of hope.

Catch up with me HERE as i continue through the journey that is life.

Love LIFE
Etemesi 

Sickle Cell Warrior #10

10003 SICKLE CELL WARRIOR #10

Donna. A
27 Warrior Years

I am a lady, 27 years of age. My parents died in 2002 and before that we were all unaware I had Sickle Cell. I later discovered it when I collapsed in school and was taken for a checkup. From then on that’s when I started with my medication and checkups. I was 14years old when it was discovered.  I faced negative perceptions from people around me. Never believed I would reach 18. I also stopped going for checkups due to financial problems. I only go to the hospital when in crisis. After 20 years people started seeing my determination and always want to hear my story. So far God has brought me and further will he take me.

Catch up with me on my facebook HERE to find oud more about how i conquer Sickle Cell everyday.


Love Life
Donna

Where it all Began



From whence we came,
Find out how it all started and why we started the project.
This video was taken by Viionaries Aloud at the Pawa254 rooftop.

I still cant believe we made it this far, 5 months later. The greatest lesson learnt through this journey is that patience, persistence and courage go a very long way. Yo don't need to be superhuman to make change. As long as you understand there is no chnage greater than that made within yourself.

If you cant view the video above, watch it here 10003 Warrior Project

Let us know if you've interacted with the project or if you would like to do so.


Love Life!
Lea

Sickle Cell Warrior #9

10003 Sickle Cell Warrior #9
Mercy A
19 Warrior Years

I don't know what it is with girls and their fathers', perhaps a father can give us a bit of introspect into this subject.
When i first met Mercy, she like many other younger warriors were very keen to participate in the project. To speak out about a very sensitive issue that affects numerous young girls in Kenya takes a great deal of courage.

Courage is the one thing that i was reminded of when i talked to Mercy. She has faced great hardship in her daily battle with Sickle Cell disease. Many times she has had to stay in one class as her classmates advanced to the next level, as she tries to catch up on the missed lessons. In a system that doesn't quite cater for special needs students with SCD, many of them are shunned by teachers and deemed not good enough or just another non-performing cliche. 

Mercy however rose above those mental models society knowingly or unknowingly bestows on us. The biggest one being, Sickle Cell Warriors are lazy, dumb and sickly. 

 Here's how Mercy sees things

“Being a warrior does not make you different from others. Most of us have been told a lot about our lives but in all I have built my faith on hope and faith. I have ignored the voices of doctors and anyone who pulls my hope down, that’s why I’m still moving on. In all I've trusted in God.”


Love Life!
Lea

Sickle Cell Warrior #8

10003 Sickle Cell Warrior #8


Stephen. B
36 Warrior Years


Whoever said "Age is nothing but a number" has never lived a day in their lives.

A husband, a father,a businessman and a warrior. Steve is the oldest warrior featured so far. Wisdom is gained through experiences lived and challenges conquered. Our bodies may fail us everyday but our minds and hearts should never cease to find hope in each day. Our lives expand and unfold in the direction of our minds. Dis-ease should not limit you in anyway, but inspire and drive you to overstand your body, do better and live healthy fulfilled lives.

Steve's words of wisdom to other warriors,


“I am 36 years old and I was born with Sickle Cell and I’m proud to be a warrior. I would like to tell people out there that Sickle Cell can live up to even 80 years or above. I would like to tell other warriors to avoid stress, eat well, keep warm, drink lots of fluids and life continues.”


Love Life!
Lea

Sickle Cell Warrior #7

10003 Sickle Cell Warrior #7


Kathleen N.
26 Warrior Years

A recently graduated warrior who has surparssed many obstacles and an absolute inspiration to many. Kathleen is an older sister to two younger siblings who she always carries along to any exciting activities she thinks they might benefit. Her bond with them and vice versa is nothing new especially in families where warriors are supported. Kathleen, is unique in her role as an older sister. As a warrior she directly influences her sisters through the life she lives. Her deliberate efforts to guide and instruct in the ways of a Sickle Cell warrior strategically positions her as a great role model. Many may choose to shy away from speaking about their lives with younger siblings for fear of looking weak, Kathleen shines with confidence.

Words of Kathleen

“Being a warrior is not a life sentence, it’s a chance to appreciate life in every aspect big or small. I am more aware of the phrase ‘life is too short’ so I live mine to the fullest. Being a warrior makes me stronger than I give myself credit. I am strong, I am a warrior. I am 26 years and stronger than ever. I am moving on and I love every step I make.”

Catch up with Kathleen on her Facebook page HERE



Love Life!
Lea

Sickle Cell Warrior #6

10003 Sickle Cell Warrior #6



Donald O..24 Warrior years

It is difficult to put in words that which deserves more than words.
In such a situation when one is rendered speechless, silence is best observed.

Well., most of you who have the pleasure to know Donald may be familiar with his "larger than life" persona and his very eccentric ways of doing things.

I had the pleasure to interact with Donald a couple of years back at a Sickle Cell community meeting in Agakhan. Back then (2012) my Sickle Cell circle of friends wasn't as diverse as it is now and the few people who spoke out about Sickle Cell disease were considered to be brave and mighty titans. Donald was one of these titans.

True to the title, Donald has surpassed various perceived "limitations",mind and body. As sickle cell warriors, we are conditioned to restrict ourselves within the lines of the coloring box. We take what we are told we cant do as gospel truth and many of us live miserable unfulfilled lives. Donald seeks to break those barriers and create new ones, on his own terms. He has been working out and building body mass for almost 2 years now and still going strong. He started slow and grew and he continued to learn and understand his body. He takes care not to over exert himself and stress his body. Aside from his physical body; i believe that in order to see change in the physical, one has to first shift his mindset from the old conditioning of the mind to a mindset that makes everything possible. A warrior needs to have the knowledge on what works for him/her  and the wisdom to apply that knowledge in their daily lives.

Donalds words
"Inability and Disability is all in the mind. What you conceive in your mind comes to be. Pray daily because its the source of power and have faith because everything happens for a reason."

On a lighter note, Donald is a hit with the ladies though fortunately or unfortunately he only holds dear one lucky lady in his heart. Catch up with Donald on his Facebook and continue the conversation on Sickle Cell.

Love Life!
Lea

Sickle Cell Warrior #4






10003 Sickle Cell Warrior #4
Hi
My name is Frida Odee and i'm 25 years old. I am an independent social researcher also studying media, culture and society. Most importantly, I am a Sickle Cell Warrior and I hope to eventually become an accomplished social scientist. I did not know that I had a form of Sickle Cell until four years ago. I was relieved to find out what had been bothering me after years of being sickly. I am a warrior because I hope to inspire and spread awareness on Sickle Cell Disease and let other people know they are not alone.”
Talk to me on  TWITTER and lets continue the conversation as we create awareness of Sickle Cell Disease on 10003 Warrior Project .

Love Life!
Freda

Sickle Cell Warrior #3

10003 Sickle Cell Warrior #3

Hey there, my name is Catherine Odenyo and I am 29 years old. For all those years, I have lived with pain that can’t be explained in words, but each and every moment I have gotten to learn my body more. I didn't know I was a Warrior until I was 18, it was a difficult moment. Now that I know, I have to keep moving forward with hope and joy. And YES! I am a Warrior because I’m still here fighting and haven’t given up.

Love Life!
Catherine

Sickle Cell Warrior #2


10003 Sickle Cell Warrior #2

Hey there, my name is Fredrick Oywer and I am a 22 year old business Information Technology student. I have lived with the disease my whole life and despite the challenges it comes with, I have not let it be a hindrance to my life or even the way I live it. Growing up, I always participated in the same activities that my school mates engaged in and I truly enjoyed my childhood. Now, as a young adult, I still live my life to the fullest and certainly am thankful to God for all my friends and family who have been with me throughout.

Catch up with me on Facebook and let's keep the sickle cell awareness conversation going.

Love Life!
Freddy.

Sickle Cell Warrior #1


10003 Sickle Cell Warrior #1

Hey there? My name is Cecilia June. I am 18 years old and my ethnic background is Dholuo. Why I mention where I am from is because as other Warriors continue to share their stories, you will find a similarity of ethic backgrounds. Sickle cell does not have any tribal link but instead, it affects people mainly from malaria endemic regions. I love to sing and it brings me a lot of joy and peace. 

Sickle cell is real, yes, and I found myself in that situation. I figured it is God's plan, you never know with some things *laughs*. I have accepted myself the way I am because no matter what, I am beautifully and wonderfully made by the Creator. I am not complaining though, and what keeps me going is God and the support of my family.

If you know you have sickle cell, do not think that that is the end of you! Not at all. Instead, be yourself, speak what you think is right, have fun and enjoy life because you are a Warrior. Some situations in life happen so as to give us a different view point of the world. Without our differences, we would all be the same. I figure that is boring. Though sometimes life may seem hard, just keep going and trust in God and thank Him because He is the life giver.

Despite my challenges of medical care, school and health insurance,I am currently studying and fully intend on sitting for my Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) at Korogocho Glory Secondary School. My dream is to become a doctor in order to help in championing the cause of Sickle Cell Disease. 

No matter where you are, whether 'rich' or 'poor' your dreams are valued and valid: go out and reach for them. I know mine are and as such, I am reaching out for them. 

My school address is Korogocho Glory Secondary School, P.O. B ox 4243-00200 Nairobi. A success card would be cool :)

Love Life!
Cecilia