Real Tales from Individuals Coping With Sickle Cell Condition

Geno Atkins’ Tale

“My tale started whenever a child came across a young woman from the campus of Florida A&M University. To their very very first date he asked the young girl if she carried the cell trait that is sickle! That young man became dad and also the dude is my mom. Dad holds the sickle mobile trait and ended up being well conscious that if he married somebody who additionally holds the trait, their young ones had a 50% potential for being born with complete blown cell disease that is sickle. He unearthed that my mother just isn’t a provider regarding the sickle mobile trait. The others is history.

“I am the earliest of three kiddies therefore the only 1 with sickle cellular trait. The very first time we learned we carry the sickle cellular trait ended up being as a freshman during the University of Georgia. I called house and my mom stated, “Your dad has the trait, but I don’t remember a doctor saying the trait was had by you once you had been created.” All newborns are tested for the trait in Florida, yet I had opted my life that is whole without.

“Once we learned I experienced the trait we researched in so far as I could and chatted using the soccer training staff. They assured me personally that the trait wouldn’t normally impact my capability to play. There have been four freshmen whom tested good for the trait along beside me therefore we had been assigned a trainer whom viewed us closely during training sessions as well as on game time. I happened to be perhaps not addressed differently by my teammates and went about my entire life in the same way I’d prior to. One time we discovered that a soccer player had died from complications of sickle mobile trait while taking part in springtime training at another college. That’s when we understood that this will be a severe problem and i ought to perhaps maybe perhaps not simply just just take a chance with my health. We played during the greatest degree in university and it also received me personally an area within the NFL.

“I knew from my research for me to play in high altitude, so I prayed I wouldn’t get drafted by Denver, which is at a high altitude that it would not be good. I wound up in Cincinnati and also have played at a tremendously higher level with no negative affects associated with the sickle mobile trait. Throughout the period we did happen to be Denver to try out the Broncos and that ended up being the first-time we can undoubtedly state we felt the results of this trait. I really could maybe not inhale following a 10-play show and needed to be provided oxygen in the sideline.

“Some of this modifications I’ve built in my entire life consist of consuming healthier, avoiding alcohol and drugs, not smoking, & most notably getting plenty of remainder. Everybody else in my own household understands that i need to just take my day-to-day nap. I drink much more water, recreations products, and coconut water than previously since it is vital that you stay totally hydrated before and after tasks.

“Having the sickle mobile trait will not exclude an athlete from taking part in recreations, nonetheless, working out staff and coaches have to take precautions to guarantee the athlete just isn’t place in dangerous circumstances. In senior high school my coaches would get I was always in the back during running drills and I often got very tired on me because. I believe right right back now and understand if over-zealous coaches or I had pushed too much during those hot days in south Florida that it could have been a dangerous situation for me.

“Each 12 months i will be saddened to master of some other athlete that is young from problems associated with trait while taking part in recreations. This cycle that is vicious me understand that not sufficient information, training, and limelight are directed at this matter. My objective will be begin a foundation, using the focus that is primary providing assessment for athletes during the twelfth grade degree and having training for trainers and coaches on the best way to assist the athletes be the ideal they could be.”

CDC wish to thank Geno Atkins for sharing their individual tale.

If you want to generally share your individual story, please contact us at Contact CDC-INFO