#WorldSickleCellDay Adam’s Story (1/7): “My name is Adam. I am 13 years old…I like music , basketball and learning new things for example, this year, I have started to learn Japanese .  I have been living with #SickleCellDisease most of my life.” #WSCD #WSCD2020

#WorldSickleCellDay Adam’s Story, on living with #ChronicPain as a young teenager (2/7):
“Chronic pain is like the different seasons we have in ...
Sometimes it is bright, +23 degrees where you even forget about winter, when it was -20 degrees in January w 3ft of .”

#WorldSickleCellDay Adam’s Story (3/7): During the good days, I have a normal life, I go to school , see my friends & have fun! #ChronicPain is controlled with my medication , rest , heating pad & keeping warm in my bed with my electric blanket. #WSCD2020

#WorldSickleCellDay Adam’s Story (4/7): But then just as winter comes every year then there are bad days, when I have a pain crisis, I need to go to the emergency at @CHEO where I receive pain medication, antibiotics or a blood transfusion #WSC2020 @colindeacon #WSCD

#WorldSickleCellDay Adam’s Story (5/7): Pain crisis can last a few days or a few weeks & can go on for months without an end in sight!That is what it means to live w #ChronicPain. But I am a believer in keeping a positive spirit & outlook, how you think affects how you feel

#WorldSickleCellDay Adam’s Story (6/7): But I am a fighter & I keep pushing to do things I love because #ChronicPain does not like to take vacations or go on strike. The best gift I could get... is to SKIP on pain completely #ItDoesntHaveToHurt #SickleCellWarrior

#WorldSickleCellDay Adam’s Story (7/7): Thank you Adam for sharing your story w us at @SenateCA By working together across & beyond we can help ensure #ItDoesntHaveToHurt for kids & young teenagers like Adam w #SickleCell by mobilizing evidence-based pain management solutions