Sickle cell disease key factor in his lonely life
“I have sickle cell disease. I’ve had it my whole life. My earliest crisis was when I was 9 or 10. My red blood cells aren’t shaped circular. They’re shaped like a sickle. When they get...
Tagged: health
Gina Bibb: battling multiple health challenges
NameGina Bibb Age60 How long have you lived in Baytown?In the area all my life, but in Baytown until about age 52. Most interesting fact about youI am currently legally blind and unable to walk due...
Cancer, age work against her when job hunting
“Me and my brothers took care of our parents before they died. They were both in their 50s. It was tough to watch them deteriorate. They didn’t have all the money in the world, and they...
They rely on faith, family, friends and fight
“I’ve been going to church more since Owen was born. You just look for that comfort and peace. Plus, my family and our mutual friends have helped support and motivate us. We have a type of...
Young boy faces life-saving heart surgery
“His cardiologist told us that he’s the sickest kid he’s ever seen who does not look sick. When you look at his scans you think, there’s no way they could belong to this kid.” Born with...
‘It was a blessing that God took me out so early’
“It was 1966, and I was in Vietnam with the 5th Mechanized Infantry Division. I got medically discharged after about three months as a combat medic. I guess I was in the wrong place at the...
Late mother’s career motivates her to help others
“My mom had diabetes with all the complications. But she just kept going. She kept working as long as she could. She was in and out of the hospital, and we always knew she would come...
She gains her freedom from the sounds of silence
A childhood accident took her hearing. A determined son and daughter helped return it. Using sign language, Yolanda Willey says she was about 5 years old when she fell at home. Her memory of the incident...
Health scare forces welder into early retirement
“My stomach was hurting really bad. But when it went away, I stopped thinking about it. Then eventually, a big knot formed on my side. The pain was incredible. My cousin finally talked me into going...
Painful condition caused her to consider suicide
“Back in 1999, I got really sick. I spent 10 days in the hospital with extremely excruciating stomach pain before they figured out what was wrong with me. It’s a condition called porphyria. I’m missing an...
