At the center of every challenge lies the opportunity to grow stronger. Keonsha, a dedicated caregiver to a teenaged Warrior, knows this is true.

At the center of every challenge lies the opportunity to grow stronger. Keonsha, a dedicated caregiver to a teenaged Warrior, knows this is true.

Keonsha proudly sees herself as a “doer and a helper.” These traits helped her tackle life’s difficulties long before she became a caregiver. Now, she works every day to pass on this strength to her daughter.

Keonsha proudly sees herself as a “doer and a helper.” These traits helped her tackle life’s difficulties long before she became a caregiver. Now, she works every day to pass on this strength to her daughter.

As a doer, her response to stressors is grounded in action. “I don’t let my stressors sit with me. I have to do something,” Keonsha says. For her, that means figuring out what to do next or getting the information she needs to feel more secure next time. So, she teaches her children to face life’s challenges head on. Her reason is clear. “I need them to not succumb to all the pressures and all of the barriers that they will be presented with.”

As a helper, Keonsha began encouraging her daughter to advocate for herself around age 12. “I’ve always told her, ‘You need to speak up for yourself. You have words,’” she explains. “She needs to be able to listen to her body.” Keonsha teaches her that self-awareness is important when managing SCD. This approach helped her daughter become an advocate for her own health.

As a helper, Keonsha began encouraging her daughter to advocate for herself around age 12. “I’ve always told her, ‘You need to speak up for yourself. You have words,’” she explains. “She needs to be able to listen to her body.” Keonsha teaches her that self-awareness is important when managing SCD. This approach helped her daughter become an advocate for her own health.

One lesson that Keonsha learned was the power of community. Even though she is naturally independent, Keonsha discovered the importance of seeking support. Meeting parents who had successfully navigated similar challenges inspired Keonsha. “Those parents helped me through difficult times, so it wasn’t that big of a deal. I didn’t feel as alone. It gave me hope that she’ll be okay,” Keonsha shared.

One lesson that Keonsha learned was the power of community. Even though she is naturally independent, Keonsha discovered the importance of seeking support. Meeting parents who had successfully navigated similar challenges inspired Keonsha. “Those parents helped me through difficult times, so it wasn’t that big of a deal. I didn’t feel as alone. It gave me hope that she’ll be okay,” Keonsha shared.

As her daughter grew up, Keonsha began to release some of her caregiving responsibilities. Today, Keonsha trusts her daughter to manage her medication. “She keeps up with her medication, so that’s been helpful for me. And it also helps me knowing that she can be responsible to do that,” Keonsha adds. “I am proud. I am happy to know that she has done what she needs to do to build the capacity to care for herself.”

As her daughter grew up, Keonsha began to release some of her caregiving responsibilities. Today, Keonsha trusts her daughter to manage her medication. “She keeps up with her medication, so that’s been helpful for me. And it also helps me knowing that she can be responsible to do that,” Keonsha adds. “I am proud. I am happy to know that she has done what she needs to do to build the capacity to care for herself.”

Through her daughter’s growth and their shared challenges, Keonsha’s story is an example of the amazing things that can happen when love, perseverance, and a supportive community come together.

Through her daughter’s growth and their shared challenges, Keonsha’s story is an example of the amazing things that can happen when love, perseverance, and a supportive community come together.

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