Tevin Coleman—a working again for the San Francisco 49ers—and his spouse, Akilah Coleman, are opening up about their expertise with elevating a toddler who has sickle cell illness.
Tevin & Akilah’s Daughter, Nazaneen, Was Diagnosed As An Infant: ‘I Knew Something Was Up’
During a sit-down with People, the couple mirrored on how they welcomed their twins, Nazaneen and Nezerah, in 2017.
However, they knew “pretty instantly” that “something was up.” By the time she was 4 months outdated, Nazaneen was identified with sickle cell illness.
“I knew something was up. My son, they knew he didn’t have it but pretty instantly, with my daughter, we had to go back and do a couple of different tests because they knew that there was something going on. It was confirmed around four months.”
What Exactly Is Sickle Cell Disease?
For context, the situation described “a group of inherited red blood cell disorders” that causes the cells to be sickle-shaped versus their traditional, disk-like look. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the purple blood cells being sickle-shaped can result in quite a lot of points throughout the physique.
“The sickle cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells. Also, when they travel through small blood vessels, they get stuck and clog the blood flow. This can cause pain and other serious complications (health problems) such as infection, acute chest syndrome and stroke.”
There are varied kinds of the illness, with “the most severe form” of the genetic situation generally being referred to as sickle cell anemia.
Increased consciousness of sickle cell will assist drive funding for analysis, remedy and care. Spread the phrase on social media and let your family and friends know. For additional info, go to our web site hyperlink within the bio #sicklecelluk #sicklecell #awareness #photooftheday pic.twitter.com/hJEnqkfdKj
— Sickle Cell Society (@SickleCellUK) January 10, 2023
The Colemans Want To ‘Talk About It & Just Raise Awareness’
Tevin and Akilah famous that—whereas they had been conscious that they carried the sickle cell gene, they weren’t totally conscious of how the situation would have an effect on their household.
They additionally famous that, as their daughter continues to grow to be extra conscious of her situation, they wish to give attention to selling training about sickle cell illness whereas instructing Nazaneen to be open about how she’s feeling.
“She’s only 5, so we haven’t gotten to the point where I actually explained to her what her body is going through, but I have let her know that it’s just really important to always tell Mommy—whatever you’re feeling, whatever you’re going through, tell Mommy. Let’s talk about it. Don’t be scared to tell me if you’re in pain, so I can help you.”
Tevin added, “Now that she’s getting older and she’s learning and understanding that she has sickle cell, I wanted to talk about it and just raise awareness.”
How The Family Uplifts Nazaneen Through Some Of The Condition’s Challenges
Additionally, the Colemans addressed among the other ways they’ve needed to adapt for the sake of their daughter.
For one, they don’t enable her to go outdoors if it’s too chilly, because it’s vital for individuals with sickle cell illness to remain heat.
“For my daughter, she does not go outside at school if it’s below 50 degrees. I have to keep her really warm, and when she comes home from school, I have to check her fingers and her toes. I have to ask her if she has any aches or if anything hurts, or if she’s having any pains. And she has been having pains actually, she’s been having some pains in her legs and her feet.”
Being chilly will increase your probabilities of having a Sickle Cell disaster, so it is important to maintain heat as a lot as potential. With the climate falling to -10 across the UK, our group should keep heat throughout these difficult occasions. #sickle #sicklecellsociety #nhs #cold #weather #5ways pic.twitter.com/n9AuPQqDpT
— Sickle Cell Society (@SickleCellUK) January 23, 2023
However, they’re positive to attempt to make it enjoyable by “disguising a lot of what [they] do for her as self-care.”
“I’ll just say, ‘Okay, we’re gonna have a spa day.’ I’ll massage her legs and do a mani-pedi, kind of rub her feet and get some of that circulation going because the one thing I don’t want to do is put too much fear in her.”
Akilah added, “I want her to be able to identify what she’s feeling, but I also want to protect her…I want her to be able to vocalize what she’s feeling without being scared.”
As for Tevin, he notes {that a} large a part of their journey is rooted in maintaining the positivity rollin’.
“Every time that my daughter does have a crisis or she is in the hospital afterward, we try to uplift her and keep positive vibes. We do it by throwing a party for her when she gets back, giving her a cake, giving her toys, just to make her smile.”
Shoutout to the Coleman household as they proceed to navigate these waters and lift consciousness about their daughter’s situation.
