I did not know anything about sickle cell disease before reading this book. I was stunned to learn of the suffering this disease causes. I also found it very disturbing that although this disease is so widespread in many parts of the world, so little funding or research is given to it.

Anne paints a very vivid picture of the pain and disruption of SCD on her life. But through determination and a very strong spirit (and a loving and supportive family) she has managed to achieve so much. Those of us without chronic pain or disease cannot possibly understand how every aspect of life is affected.

Anne gives very clear ideas to help those with a chronic disease better manage pain and the debilitating depression that can go hand in hand with it. But maybe more importantly she teaches us to change the way we view people with an invisible illness.

A beautifully written book.

I didn’t know much about sickle cell disease before going into this but I do know what it’s like to live with chronic pain. I know the loneliness and how hard it can be to stay positive and hopeful about the future - especially when you don’t know where your illness will take you.

I found it easy to relate to Anne and also the book was written in a way that I could sympathise with how difficult it must be to live with her illness. It was inspiring to see that despite everything Anne continued to achieve and not let her illness take over.

Her insight was helpful and her ideas we’re different to what I’ve seen before. I think a lot of people could benefit from this book!

In this book, Anne tells us of her life long struggle with sickle cell, a complicated chronic illness and the toll it has had on her family, friends, life, career and even travel and getting pregnant and having her children as well as advice for how to cope with all parts and effects a chronic illness can throw at you.



As I've been living with multiple chronic illnesses for nearly ten years though not sickle cell, I can totally relate to many points made in this book and could really commiserate on the bad and find the joy in the same good such as a pain free day!

It is a great book for educating about chronic pain and illness as well as providing a relatable experience through reading

story.

Do you know anyone who suffers with Chronic Pain?

If your answer is no, then you are extremely lucky.

I have been living with debilitating and demoralizing pain since 2009. It has affected and still affects all aspects of my life.

"I am often asked what sickle cell pain feels like and for me there are no words to describe it, but if I must try, all I can say is that it is like someone using a hammer to knock on your bones over and over again."

Anne's pain is caused by Sickle Cell Disease and she has been dealing with it's effects her entire life. I admit to having heard of this disease before reading this book, but I knew next to nothing about it's symptoms.

After reading Anne Welsh's memoir, I feel that I am much better informed about Sickle Cell Disease and it's details.

This book contains terrific tips and ideas of how to live with a chronic illness, as well as wonderful ideas for the families and friends of those of us who have an invisible illness as to how they can assist and support us. These ideas can be applied to any chronic illness, and are not specific to Sickle Cell Disease.

Anne's upbeat attitude and her determination to live life as fully as possible despite her terrible and debilitating condition is inspiring and offers hope to the rest of us. The following quote really spoke to me.

"Finally I had come to understand that to become a better me, I had to accept help as well as not be afraid to ask for it. This is a realisation that all of us who live with a chronic illness need to come to. We cannot do it on our own, so accept the help offered, and it will make an enormous difference to your life."

I rate this book as 4 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐

***Thank you to #NetGalley and the #publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book.***

As someone living with chronic pain and chronic health conditions, I was really intrigued by this book. I feel like author painted a vivid portrait of what it is like to live with pain and deal with everything that goes with that. Definitely worth reading. Informative and empathetic.