Arrey Echi was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease when she was only two years old. Some where along the line, she lost her ability to decipher sounds. Yet she is one of the most confident people I have ever met. So confident that some people consider her saying she is hearing impaired an alter-ego game. She is hosting no pity party and is so comfortable in her own skin. This is why her telling me of her impairment "just like that" was such an inspiring shock (if there's anything like an inspiring shock).
Arrey gives a whole new meaning to the saying, "when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade." She has not only made lemonade with the lemons life threw at her. She has made lemons look like oranges. Very sweet oranges! Recently featured on world renowned Time.com and a social networking site for women, Worldpulse.com, she is doing all she can to be a sickle cell voice. It was from her that I first learnt to address those who suffer Sickle Cell crisis as "warriors". What a positive way of putting it! She wants the world to know that Sickle Cell is neither a death sentence nor witchcraft. Let me add here that it is neither contagious. She recently organised a successful workshop in Yaounde, Cameroon to raise awareness about Sickle Cell. The warrior writes to defy myths surrounding the disease on her blog, Joy2Endure.com.
I have never met Arrey physically but I feel like I have known her because we have bonded virtually like sisters. She is one of those people I imaginatively think I have met face-to-face. I just can't explain when and how. Her sanguinity, poise and warmheartedness can be felt through her words.
I had a chat with her about what growing up with the SS gene entailed. She shares her struggles, her survival techniques and some sageness for the world. Lean in and enjoy!
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How old were you when you first discovered you were a Sickle Cell sufferer?
What was it like in school, growing up with the disease?
Sometimes, my friends and sisters helped me but copying was my middle name. I learnt to read ahead of time so that even when I was sick, I would still be able to write my exams. I hated pity and I never wanted people to feel I go ahead because of that so I worked hard and passed well. Unfortunately, I had to repeat my Advanced Levels because revising with intense pains was just not possible.
What's the one thing you want people to know about Sickle Cell?

What are your major challenges?
The challenges are many and they range from physical to psychological. For example I have what I call my thorn in the flesh... an accident that happened while I was in high school and left me with an ulcer that recurs from time to time. I blogged about it in my blog post, "Warrior's Stripes". When it recurs for no apparent reason, the pain and financial burden are a major challenge.
What is it like being hearing impaired?
And when there is a party for example and people complain of noise and being unable to sleep, well, I don sleep me since like small pikin no stress. I don't mind telling people I have this problem if I have to. I am comfortable in my skin and it doesn't define me.
What are the circumstances that led to this?
How do you cope with your hearing impairment?
So with a hearing aid now, you could hear certain things if you choose to?
Any advice for families of Sickle Cell warriors out there?
While acknowledging the challenges, parents should also look for opportunities and talents of their warrior kids and embrace them. That way, they motivate their kids and the condition is easily managed. The challenges become stepping stones to a healthier, happy and fulfilling life for both the parents and the kids. This is because they make them feel they are NOT different from others. With just a little more love and understanding, parents will push their warrior kids to keep standing tall.
Oh my, this was such an inspiring read to me! I hope it inspired you too. No matter who you are or what you face, you can always live up to your potentials. Always! Just make sure you maintain a positive mind.
To further spread the word about Sickle Cell, please click one of the social media buttons above or below to share. Stories are keys that unlock others from their prisons so please don't hesitate to click because someone on your timeline needs to read this.
Thank you so much for sharing your very powerful voice, Miss Arrey!
Now over to you, reader: Do you know anyone living with Sickle Cell? What are some of the myths about the disease you have heard?
Precious Nkeih says
She totally defines what it means to fight! People like her go very far!
Thanks for stopping by, Amaka!
Nwamaka Ajaegbu says
This is so inspiring.
Arrey-echi is a fighter and a warrior. I love her attitude towards life. You can just tell she is a "I no like wahala" type of person. May the dreams of her heart come true for her. <3
She is shinning the light!
amakamedia.com
Bern Ngu says
Very touching and inspirational. May God bless you Arrey Echi and thanks for sharing this with us Precious.
Bern Ngu says
Very inspirational and touching ... May God bless you Arrey Echi
Precious Nkeih says
Arrey is simply phenomenal. Thanks for your kind words, Bern.
Mboh Nancy says
Really inspiring Arrey. Am so.... Moved by ur sincerity! It has help me a lot to know that despite what ur going through God is always there! We hv hope and always live by it!
Precious Nkeih says
God is certainly always there!
Thanks for reading, Nancy!
Joy2Endure says
Meeting you has been one of the best things that happened to me in these interwebs. The bonding and shared love for writing and the kitchen especially always make me feel like we have always known each other.
What more can I say? Thank you so much Pre for taking the time for this interview and sharing my story. It is humbling to see so many taking an interest in my tiny voice and joining me in this fight to be a sickle cell voice.
Thank you. I pray in our own little ways, we can all inspire others and warriors especially to embrace their challenges but strive for a positive life.
May God continue to bless your efforts to inspire and share stories which inspire others too we hope.
Thank you for amplifying my voice.
The fight goes on.
Joy2Endure says
Thank you very much Nancy. Thanks for reading and for the kind words.
I am glad you felt inspired by this. Yes God is always there and for as long as there is life, there is always Hope eternal sure!
Joy2Endure says
Thank you very much Nancy. Thanks for reading and for the kind words.
I am glad you felt inspired by this. Yes God is always there and for as long as there is life, there is always Hope eternal sure!
Joy2Endure says
Amen and thank you for reading and the kind words, Bern.
Joy2Endure says
Lol Amaka, I no like wahala at all 🙂
Thank you so much for reading and for the motivating words.
Precious Nkeih says
I'm of that opinion too, Kachee. So the kids don't get to suffer.
Thank God for the warriors who are all about creating a positive impact.
Precious Nkeih says
The feeling is mutual, dear. I'm so glad I met you.
I have learnt so much from watching you take on this journey of life. May God empower to continue to bless others and make a difference.
Thank you so much for sharing your story!
Joy2Endure says
Kachee, thank you for stopping by and for the encouraging words. You are right, in as much as possible, AS should avoid getting married to AS especially if they plan to have kids. The risks are 50-50 but it is better to avoid if you can or detect the gene of the child and carry out some medical procedures. I don't know what it is called but I hear there is something like that.
Thanks for picking out that funny line 🙂 It is a greeat thing to see many warriors raising their voices. Knowledge remains the best defence.
Kachee Tee says
This was inspiring and funny. Like when she said if there was danger "I will die then". I do know a few people who live with sickle cell, and it's not an easy experience. However, they are warriors and a lot of them are making such a positive impact in creating awareness.
As a pre-caution, I'm of the opinion that AS should as much as possible avoid getting married to AS as well.
http://www.KacheeTee.com
Precious Nkeih says
She is the very definition of a warrior, Melvis. Thanks for stopping by, dear.
kwam melvis says
Wow very inspirational and heart melting too. Arrey u are a warrior indeed. God bless u
Joy2Endure says
Thank you very much for the kind words, Melvis. More blessings to you.
Yvonne Oshevwe says
This is really inspiring. I thank God she has chosen to see the bright side of life and not weep over the anaemia.
She's beautiful too.
http://www.yvonnyblog.wordpress.com
Precious Nkeih says
She's very beautiful, Yvonne!
We can all learn a thing or two from her positiveness.
Thanks for stopping by, dear!
Joy2Endure says
Thank you for the kind words, Yvonne. I really appreciate the compliments. There are times the tears flow alright but no need weeping over split milk constantly, so life goes on 🙂
Many thanks Pre. Just like U too.
nwakfubeatrice says
Arrey I indeed appreciate the courage and positiveness in you.Thanks very much for sharing ur story ,I believe from ur story many who had given up would regain strength to continue fighting.u re a strong woman indeed .I pray God's abundant grace ,healings and blessings locate u.
Blessed says
Wow, a real warrior. And a beautiful one. God bless you sister
Precious says
Amen. Thank you for reading, dear.