Posted on Jun 8, 2022
Many sickle cell patients face a crippling disease and systemic racism
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Gary Gibson has a clear memory of his first conversation with his future wife Brenda Williams back in 1973.
“Hello, my name is Brenda,” was the first thing Gibson remembers her saying. The second was, “I have sickle cell disease.”
“I was like, sickle what?” Gibson said.
Gibson wasn't sure how flabbergasted he should be. At the time, he didn’t know what sickle cell disease was. But he’d soon find out.
“I'll never forget the very first time that I saw her in crisis. It just tore my heart right out of my chest, to see that,” Gibson said.
Gibson remembers driving for three hours from South Bend, Indiana, to Detroit, Michigan, where Williams went to school at the time, to visit her at the hospital. He imagined an emotional reunion, and maybe a tender embrace that would help soothe Williams’ pain. He rushed to her room, sat down beside her and put his hand on the hospital bed, which caused it to move just a bit.
“Hello, my name is Brenda,” was the first thing Gibson remembers her saying. The second was, “I have sickle cell disease.”
“I was like, sickle what?” Gibson said.
Gibson wasn't sure how flabbergasted he should be. At the time, he didn’t know what sickle cell disease was. But he’d soon find out.
“I'll never forget the very first time that I saw her in crisis. It just tore my heart right out of my chest, to see that,” Gibson said.
Gibson remembers driving for three hours from South Bend, Indiana, to Detroit, Michigan, where Williams went to school at the time, to visit her at the hospital. He imagined an emotional reunion, and maybe a tender embrace that would help soothe Williams’ pain. He rushed to her room, sat down beside her and put his hand on the hospital bed, which caused it to move just a bit.
Many sickle cell patients face a crippling disease and systemic racism
Posted from wvxu.org
Medical
Health
Racism
Posted 2 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."What is systemic racism and how does it affect sickle cell disease?
Sickle cell disease is a condition that affects millions of people globally. It is particularly common among individuals of African or Caribbean heritage, yet these are the very people who may not always receive the care they need. Part of the reason behind this lack of access to care lies in systemic racism."
..."What is systemic racism and how does it affect sickle cell disease?
Sickle cell disease is a condition that affects millions of people globally. It is particularly common among individuals of African or Caribbean heritage, yet these are the very people who may not always receive the care they need. Part of the reason behind this lack of access to care lies in systemic racism."
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