SAMANTHA GREAVES COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER, NATURAL HEALTH & WEALTH PROMOTER FOUNDER OF: HASIF PROMOTIONS, HEALTHY LIVING INTERNATIONAL Ltd & THE SICKLE CELL CARE ACTION, UNITY, SUPPORT with EMPATHY GROUP (SCCAUSE) MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS FOR COMMUNITY SAFEGUARD TEAM TRAINING COORDINATOR FOR GIFT GENIUS (African Heritage Wealth Empowerment Program)
I was diagnosed at age four with having Sickle Cell Anaemia, my mortality date was given most ungraciously, to be between the age of fourteen to twenty-one years. Whilst growing up I didn’t actually realise the impact the knowledge of my mortality date had on my personal emotions, lifestyle and general attitude to life however subconsciously I found I would begin projects, usually community based, but not continue, I expect a lot from myself and up until very recent seemed to think that its excusable for others not to commit half as much; I would always’ give away my biggest piece, my last penny, my support, personal loyalty, and my most valuable possession; my time, however, I never expected the same to be given back to me and because I didn’t expect it; it was hardly ever reciprocated. Much later in life the realisation of this knowledge became evident to be textbook behaviour from someone living with ‘Post Traumatic Shock Syndrome’ with one of the symptoms being a deep sense of worthlessness. Whilst I don’t like to label things or put things into a specific box, this information came as a healing path for me as I learnt it during the counselling sessions I was prescribed to attend after facing death after a particularly traumatic & painful sickle crisis, in this case, caused by the lack of knowledge and blatant disregard of the advice and information, I and many other sickle cell patients have to offer the medical profession with regards to treating Sickle Cell anaemia in hospitals that don’t specialise with the condition. ‘The adult Sickle Cell Patient is the expert person when needing medical attention.’ Being a mother of three, nutrition was an especially important factor when bringing up my children; however, I really received my education on the benefits of nutrition when I was introduced to health supplements in 2003. As a woman living with the Sickle Cell disorder, throughout my teens, twenty’s and thirty’s, it wasn’t unusual for me to be admitted into hospital at 4 to 6 week intervals to receive powerfully strong pain medication and antibiotics, blood transfusions, oxygen and consistent saline drips; I was also dependant on a cocktail of daily prescribed medication when not in hospital. My school years was a harrowing experience, I remember through junior school in the winter, constantly trying to stand inside the doors during playtime and being sent back outside by the teachers and monitors, in those days be it rain, sleet or snow none was a reason to be indoors during play or lunchtime; no excuse was considered.