As a mother of 3, Jaimee cares for 2 Warriors: her sons aged 12 and 16. Jaimee’s daughter Mariana is a middle child who occupies a unique place between her brothers.
As a mother of 3, Jaimee cares for 2 Warriors: her sons aged 12 and 16. Jaimee’s daughter Mariana is a middle child who occupies a unique place between her brothers.
Mariana is an enormous help to her family. For many years, she attended the same schools as her brothers. She always looked out for them, even her older brother. As for her younger brother, she protected him from bullies, encouraged him to advocate for himself at the nurse’s office, and helped him through his anxiety attacks.
Mariana is an enormous help to her family. For many years, she attended the same schools as her brothers. She always looked out for them, even her older brother. As for her younger brother, she protected him from bullies, encouraged him to advocate for himself at the nurse’s office, and helped him through his anxiety attacks.
From the start, Jaimee was committed to ensuring Mariana felt loved. At home, Mariana’s help never went unnoticed. Her mature and independent nature always made it seem like she was doing fine. But over the years, Mariana sometimes felt overshadowed and left out. Being the only child without SCD in the family meant that her parents spent more time with her siblings. While Jaimee was in and out of hospitals with her 2 sons, Mariana stayed home with her dad.
From the start, Jaimee was committed to ensuring Mariana felt loved. At home, Mariana’ help never went unnoticed. Her mature and independent nature always made it seem like she was doing fine. But over the years, Mariana sometimes felt overshadowed and left out. Being the only child without SCD in the family meant that her parents spent more time with her siblings. While Jaimee was in and out of hospitals with her 2 sons, Mariana stayed home with her dad.
“I realize that my kids need that one-on-one time. Usually after a hospitalization, we’ll go get our nails done, or go shopping.”
“I realize that my kids need that one-on-one time. Usually after a hospitalization, we’ll go get our nails done, or go shopping.”
Jaimee thought everything was fine until she read a book that prompted her to ask herself: Does your child know that you like them? Jaimee clarified, “Not that you love them, but do you like them as people?” She decided to ask Mariana directly.
Jaimee thought everything was fine until she read a book that prompted her to ask herself: Does your child know that you like them? Jaimee clarified, “Not that you love them, but do you like them as people?” She decided to ask Mariana directly.
Mariana’s response changed everything. “She told me, ‘Well, I know that you love me, but I don’t know if you like me because you spend all this time with my brothers,’” Jaimee said. From then on, Jaimee started to dedicate more alone time with her daughter. They now enjoy their special time together, getting their nails done or going shopping.
This has led Mariana to share a message for fellow siblings of Warriors: “Don’t think your parents are avoiding you or that they have favorites.” She recalled that her mom often spent long periods at the hospital caring for her brothers. “I don’t want siblings of Warriors to think that they’re not loved as much because they’re not getting as much attention.”
This has led Mariana to share a message for fellow siblings of Warriors: “Don’t think your parents are avoiding you or that they have favorites.” She recalled that her mom often spent long periods at the hospital caring for her brothers. “I don’t want siblings of Warriors to think that they’re not loved as much because they’re not getting as much attention.”
Together, Jaimee and Mariana have transformed their challenges into opportunities for growth and connection. They found strength in their journey together, and their story continues to inspire other families today. Mariana finds purpose in sharing her wisdom and lived experience at caregiver conferences, connecting with others who walk the same path. It’s a bond they share with the sickle cell community. As Jaimee described, “It’s like our thing.”
Together, Jaimee and Mariana have transformed their challenges into opportunities for growth and connection. They found strength in their journey together, and their story continues to inspire other families today. Mariana finds purpose in sharing her wisdom and lived experience at caregiver conferences, connecting with others who walk the same path. It’s a bond they share with the sickle cell community. As Jaimee described, “It’s like our thing.”
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