Hi!
My name is Jaycee Knox, I have Severe Hemophilia A, Factor 8 Deficiency and I am the owner of Vintage Solutions.
8% of every order until Friday, September 8th 2023 will be donated to the "Blood Buddies" United for Bleeding Disorders Walk Team.
I have Severe Hemophilia A, factor 8 deficiency and growing up with hemophilia was an enduring battle that profoundly influenced every aspect of my life. From the very beginning, uncertainty loomed over me as I was delivered by forceps, resulting in a significant brain bleed that continues to leave lasting effects even after 34 years.
Blood Buddies walk team was formed to raise money, to advance treatments and eventually find a cure for hemophilia so no one has to feel embarrassment or deal with mental or physical anguish because of their bleeding disorder. Hemophilia does not only affect one physically, it also has an effect mentally as it has taken me to the darkest places mentally, and there is no way to escape your own mind.
What is Hemophilia?
Hemophilia is a genetic disorder that affects the blood's ability to clot properly. It is caused by a deficiency in certain clotting factors, which are proteins that help stop bleeding. People with hemophilia may experience prolonged bleeding after an injury or even spontaneous bleeding without any apparent cause. Bleeding can happen both internally and externally.
I personally get most of my bleeding episodes internally in my ankles which causes significant pain or making it impossible to walk. I also get frequent bleeding episodes in my fingers, causing a great deal of pain and preventing me from using my hand or being unable to move my fingers at all.
Life with Hemophilia
Hemophilia has been a constant source of challenges, testing my resilience, determination, and sometimes the desire to continue living. The impact it has had on my life cannot be overstated. It has shaped my experiences, my choices, and my perspective in ways that few can comprehend.
Imagine a childhood filled with limitations and precautions, where even the simplest activities carried the risk of severe consequences. Every step I took, every move I made, had to be closely monitored to avoid triggering a potentially life-threatening bleed. The world around me seemed to be a minefield, with danger lurking at every corner.
Yet, in the face of this adversity, I refused to succumb to despair. Hemophilia became the catalyst for my personal growth, pushing me to defy the odds and surpass the limitations that were imposed upon me. It taught me resilience, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in my own abilities. I embraced the struggle, determined to carve out a meaningful existence despite the challenges that hemophilia posed.
Why Am I Sharing?
I am sharing a glimpse into my life with a bleeding disorder and asking for donations to fund the research necessary to continue groundbreaking treatments, not just in hemophilia, but all bleeding disorders. Part of the reason I am a happy, healthy hemophiliac is because of groundbreaking treatments made possible by donations.