SICKLE CELL WARRIOR - SAMIRA SANUSI

My experience with Sickle Cell Anemia had a great role in my life like so many other patients suffering from the disease.

I didn't have the absolute fun childhood that most grown ups today talk about and even wish they could go back to the days. Growing up with Sickle Cell meant so many restrictions and problems for me; I couldn't play and jump around like other kids, I didn't do any sports in school, I was constantly in pain and admitted in the hospital monthly. Most of the time I missed school attendance, and I didn't have time to make friends. Sickle Cell also meant taking daily medications which wasn't fun. My diet was also different, my parents made sure I ate healthy and included fruits and vegetables to my meals. Also, I didn't have much of chocolates, candies and desserts. With Sickle Cell, my growth was delayed and I was always the smallest in a group of friends, even though I was usually the oldest. Sickle Cell anemia has left me with many complications in my joints and internal organs, some of which have been corrected. But the worst damage it has done to my body is osteoporosis and other bone/joint disease that confined me to a wheelchair for 7 years.

Alhamdulillah we found a cure for this disease and I got cured, and Alhamdulillah I am learning to walk again.

My prayers are with my brothers & sisters suffering from this disease,you are not alone.

~Samira Sanusi

THE LIFE OF DEATH

I have been thinking a lot lately about death. No I’m not suicidal, or anything like that. Death has just been very rampant, not like it never was. What prompted me to write this piece is to ask you, my dear readers, have you ever wondered how it is knowing, actually knowing, really knowing, “this is it, my time is up. I am going to die here”? Have you ever thought about it? I have, especially since after I read the different reports and statements given by eyewitnesses on the crash of Dana air flight 992, from Abuja to Lagos, which took place on the 3^rd of June, 2012 in Nigeria.

It is a really scary thing to think of, it made me shed so much tears, not even their death made me cry as much as the thought of how they felt, knowing that this is the end of their worldly life. How did they feel? What did they think? Who was the last person on their mind? Was there anyone still hopeful that they could be saved? Did anyone make attempt to call their loved ones? Did anyone just remember The Lord of the heavens and earth and all that is in between and just surrendered to whatever will occur because of his/her faith? All these questions and so much more kept going through my mind. Only for me to realize a few days later, that I knew one of the victims. And those questions became even more imprinted in my mind. We will never know the answers or anything at all for that matter concerning the case. It’s all gone with them. Only The Lord can be The One to comfort their families.

I have come to firmly believe that The Lord is very merciful to us, not only does He allow us another day to have our lives set straight and on the right path towards Him, but He has also kept the knowledge of when and how we are going to die away from us. Yes, we are going to die, when and how is what we don’t know. That is ultimate mercy to me. If I knew when and how I was to die, I would panic everyday and die, before I finally die.

The subject of death is really an unwelcomed topic. Not because we as humans are trying to defy it, no, but because the thought of having to live without someone you know, or care about, or has had an impact on your life is just scary. No more of him/her. Never again till it becomes our own time to go. Even then how sure are we it will be the same as on earth?? But death is a topic that has united all the races, like it or not, at the end of the day, we become dust. No difference between what we become after decay and the portion of the earth we shall be buried in.

 Death is a reminder that nothing is permanent. Death is a reminder that there is indeed a Higher more Authoritative force, more Powerful being than we can ever imagine. Death is a reminder that we living have been given another chance and grace to set our affairs straight, to right our wrong and just give thanks for another chance at LIFE!