I Live With A Gladiator - - The Sickle Siren

What have I learned…well first off the “X-factor” in everything is “people,” when I say people I mean their promoted passions; their inherited or self-determined purpose, and of course the manifestation of their power and how it is used… “for or against “…more on this a bit later.

Sickle Cell Crisis and Courage

For several years I've watched my wife meet the challenge of living with Sickle Cell Anemia. Forever a private person, she didn't often share the depth and breadth of her struggle. As for me, I didn't know much about it - - I had read a few things, heard a few things but never witnessed its wrath up close and personal…and believe me “wrath” is not a dramatic word - - Sickle Cell Anemia, is no joke. 

One night I saw her in a “real crisis” and it changed me…. Ya see I am (was) the fixer but the emotional state that comes with not being able to “fix this” left me feeling utterly helpless.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the last time I saw her in a struggle for her life. The silver lining in these thunderstorms is that those moments sealed us as a couple, bonded us, and though I wasn't on the front line, as I couldn't be, we fought together…I did what I could - - sometimes it was just to get a blow dryer so that she could increase her body temperature or a quick run to a medicine pouch to grab a prescription. Most of the time, all I could do is hold her hand; kiss her on her forehead, and remind her of how important she is to me and Jah’ Bre’el (our son).

She tries her best to maintain “a grace under fire,” however,  for the most part, she has to focus her attention on enduring the waves of intense pain that keep coming like the rush of a tsunami. She is a punch-drunk boxer during these moments, but she is not afraid to fight, as she did not inherit the choice.

When time and inspiration meet, she writes. This is an excerpt from a recent journal entry that is also included in her one-woman show.… “every now and then I hear about a Sickle Cell patient who has died I ask the same question every time. Why, how did they die? But I don't think the answer is simple. I'm sure there are a lot of things/issues stacked high that led to that end for them. And I'm not sure I want to know really. It's too close to home. It's like there's a serial killer in your neighborhood and two of your neighbors, on either side of you have already met him. And I am just his type.”

Because Sickle Cell does not have a great deal of awareness (as compared to other health issues that affect far fewer people), Dr. Abdullah Kutlar, Director of the Sickle Cell Center at Georgia Regents Medical Center, encouraged her to step up and be a voice - - to create an awareness that could support funding for research, etc- - in essence become an activist and advocate for the cause. She was reluctant at first but the seed was planted.

Fast forward about a year or so - - she has gotten a few more difficult victories, but there is always the constant threat of the next battle on the horizon. Couple that, an interim, with the ebb and flow of her energy levels  - -  but through it all, she came up with a show, a one-woman theatrical performance, wherein she shares more of this testimony uniquely and creatively. The show is called Sickle Cell: Crisis and Courage. It’s an honest, raw, and powerful story of triumph after triumph.

On February 28th of this year, she had her first performance at the University Hospital Auditorium which was sponsored by Georgia Regents University Women’s Studies Department and led by Dr. Seretha Williams. She is the author and performer and I directed and produced this show…It was a triumph creatively, but the reality of a pain that distorts her pursuit of happiness continues to be humbling. For me, a journey begins, for my wife the struggle continues.

In my life - - my wife is my “x-factor,” our understanding, acceptance, and love for each other make all the difference…because of who she is, and what I am, we now know what will be a significant part of the life’s work we will do. She has fought so many battles and by God’s grace, she’s winning…I am married to a gladiator, a warrior - - the Sickle Siren is sounding the alarm for the cause of Sickle Cell Anemia. Join us in this journey. 

We have future engagements in the works in various parts of the country.

------------------------------------------------------------------

A Complete Look at Anthony's Background

Short BIO

Comprehensive BIO

Complete Directing Profile

Complete Stage and Screen Writing Profile

Complete Producing & Production Management Profile

Complete Stage and Screen Acting Profile

Complete Theater and Live Event Profile

Graphic Design Portfolio

Acting Facebook Page

Professional Blog

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Advocacy Pages

Studio Blue Acting Conservatory

The Black Entertainment Economic Council

Sickle Cell Anemia Advocacy Page

Afro Mosaic Cinema Circle - Business Page

Afro Mosaic Cinema Circle - Community Group

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blue Bistro Creative - Company Pages

Blue Bistro Creative - Instagram

Blue Bistro Creative - Film & Video Page

Blue Bistro Creative - Theater Page

Blue Bistro Creative - Graphic Design Page

Blue Bistro Creative - Journalism Page

Blue Bistro Creative - Photography Page

Blue Bistro Creative - Overall Company Page

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Social Media Handles

Facebook Professional Page

We are on Instagram Here

We are on Twitter Here

Anthony on IMDB

Anthony on LinkedIn