I invited my cousin who is also a sickle cell warrior to attend the event with me. We arrived early for the event and was met at the door by Samira, she welcomed us and we headed in to find our seats. But as it normally
is at Nigerian events, there was ‘African time’.
Whilst waiting, one of the
warriors, Zulaha, walked around the room giving the guests a placard to take a picture
with. I decided to indulge and participate as
well. On it was written #Cellfie and #WSCD here’s a picture of me…
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| #CellFie and #WSCD (World Sickle Cell Day) |
After waiting for a while, and by then the room was packed, Nura another warrior gave the
opening remarks. He talked about the life of a Sickle cell soldier, how they go
through the same things we do but not in the same way. Being too happy or too
sad can result in a crisis. He mentioned how sometimes people do not understand his pain or think it is exaggerated.
Then it was time for the reading… Samira chose excerpts from
the book that was dubbed as the most crucial part or as I like to say the
core of the book.
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| Samira reading S is For Survivor |
Sitting in a room filled with “soldiers”, family and friends,
care-givers and well-wishers, Samira tells her story in an assured voice.