Patricia's Guardian Angel

IntroductionSickle Cell Disease not only affects African Americans, but it affects other parts of the country such as the Caribbean, Greece, Puerto Rico, India, Egypt and Canada. It's funny that a lot of people classify Sickle Cell Disease as a "Black-only" disease. Yes it's true that mostly African-Americans are affected by it, but it's deeper than one race. I wrote this children's book which will be a part of a series called "Sickle Cell Kids" because I too am living with Sickle Cell Disease. Both of my parents have the Sickle Cell Trait so therefore I was diagnosed with it at the age of one. I wanted to share my story through writing a children's book because a lot of kids may not understand what is fully going on when they may be in pain or when they are hospitalized. Patricia's Guardian Angel comes from a lot of real-life events that I been through as a child and my guardian angel, Catherine the Cat is actually my grandmother Catherine Britton who is now deceased. My mom always thought I was crazy when I tell her I always see a black cat in our neighborhood and at my other grandmother's house. But deep down inside, I believe the black cat, Catherine is my guardian angel. I feel like Sickle Cell Disease isn't talked about enough throughout the communities and I always showed interest trying to not only share my story but to continue to support it. What better way than to market this book and write this book that serves a greater cause than actually reading a children's book; this children's book to your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephew, cousins, etc.' It's an educational book to educate parents, children and others about what kids living with sickle cell really go through. I suffered my most severe pain crises as a child to a point where the second pain crises I had almost killed me in 1999 at the age of twelve. People die every day fighting the battles with Sickle Cell Disease. It's really serious to become educated on it and to know more about it and why it should be talked about more in public schools, health fairs, churches, meetings and definitely in the communities. Just like Cancer, Diabetes, Aids, Lupus, Heart disease and other diseases are talked about, Sickle Cell Disease should be too! Don't only purchase this book and just read it, but understand it and market it and make sure you share it with other people in your community. Patrice N. Rivers