Lesser Told Sibling Stories – Lanre Tunji-Ajayi’s story
As the eldest of eight children, I knew from a young age that I needed to look out for all of my siblings, especially my two siblings with sickle cell disease (SCD). My first sibling with SCD was a few years younger, and as such, we were in university around the same time in the Eighties. There were no cell phones then, so to ensure that my brother was well, I would often travel to his school, the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, West Africa (a 3-hour journey from where I attended school), to check on him.
I always felt the need to make sure that he had enough food, that he was not sick, and that his needs were met. I would cook and give him my own upkeep money before leaving his school to go back to mine. Sadly, I lost my brother to preventable complications of SCD in 1999. His death was very painful and has shaped the course of my life. My second sibling living with SCD is alive and well. She currently lives in Nigeria and is the kindest human being I know. Despite her illness, she continues to give and support those around her.
I have shared many happy and sad times with my siblings living with SCD over the years, from sad moments when they are unwell to happy times when all is well. Though we communicate very frequently, I will double my calls to my sister this month (Sickle Cell Awareness Month) to let her know that she is special and loved.
