Antoinette Allou
Sickle Cell Stories · Then and Now
Antoinette Allou
Antoinette describes the uncertainty that sickle cell brings to ordinary plans, including sport and time with friends.
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Their story
She recalls enjoying basketball and netball, then having to step back because physical exertion could lead to pain and hospital care. The restriction is more than a change in activity: it affects the independence and spontaneity she wants as a young adult.
Her account of NHS care is mixed. She has often felt well looked after, but has also met staff who did not understand the condition. Her story asks readers to see the unpredictability behind a person who may appear well on a particular day.