Sickle Cell Anemia is a horrible disease to an outsider looking in. However, to me, it is no different than any other life-threatening disease! The only difference is Sickle Cell Anemia does not get the much-needed recognition it truly deserves. People know little or nothing about the disease because it is not seen as important like other well-known diseases are. I personally have an issue with that problem because I have Sickle Cell Anemia, and I have always been a lifelong advocate for it! Sickle Cell Anemia has affected me as well as many of my family members. There are countless other people in the world who also suffer from Sickle Cell Anemia. I decided to write my personal story because living with this disease has been quite a challenging journey for me, from my childhood until my middle-aged years. I have had both some good days and some bad ones, but God has kept me. So, I won't complain! I feel as if I've been on an emotional roller coaster that has taken me on some highs and lows. It seems like I have been on this ride a million times over, and it simply will not stop. Despite experiencing some periodic turbulence, I have still managed to have some great times on this roller coaster ride! Therefore, I can honestly say, "It's okay! I'm going to ride this 'til the wheels fall off." Plus, I know God will never, ever give me or anyone else more than we can handle! I have also learned how to weather the storms over the years. Early on, I lived my life worried every day because I was told that I was going to die at the age of 17. Accordingly, I lived with that expectation until I surpassed that deadline. Ever since then, I have been living my life without the constant fear of dying at such a tender age. Life is precious, and I live each day to the fullest! Sickle Cell Anemia is only a part of me; it is not the total sum of who I am!