PEACE TO ME IS WHEN...

Since mankind learnt to make weapons of mass destruction, often champoined by leaders with inflated egos who would rather have that stroke constantly than accept they are wrong, the world of mankind has not been in peace.

Despite how fast humanity has progressed harnessing technology to improve on other aspects of life, peace has remained elusive.

Today, many have come up with different definitions of what peace means for them. For many, it is the absence of war and violence, the ability and willingness to live with others in harmony. Some say it is their state of being, the calmness that comes with being within their space, a peace of mind.

For me, peace takes a totally different meaning. Granted, I do agree with some of the meanings and attempts to explain what peace is all about above. I even live in a country where one of the key words on the Motto is peace and yet, this peace has remained elusive in so many ways especially in parts of the country facing war.

So what does peace mean to me? Like I said above, peace takes a totally different meaning for me.

Let me explain.

When you live with a chronic health condition like Sickle Cell Disease, you see and approach life differently. It is the same when it comes to defining statements like what peace means to me (us).

Peace means being able to access medical care when I need it without the worry that always comes with it. Peace means I don't have to fret or worry about a doctor misuderstanding me when I find myself in a hospital emergency room again and again, thinking I am a drug addict. Peace means having your pain acknowleged and cared for without you needing to try to explain yourself while going through an excruciating pain episode.

Peace means going to the hospital when I need to without the ever present haunting worry that this would be my last time , because of the worry and fear that I may meet someone who doesn't takes my concerns serious enough and anything could go wrong.

Peace will mean being able to take time off from and heal when I need to or come back to work after a long hospital stay without meeting a letter of dismissal waiting for me on my desk. The ability of just focusing on healing without worrying about losing your source of livelihood is a form of peace that many do not really understand.

The list of what peace means to me can go on and on but one thing is very sure:.

Peace is not only the absence of war and violence. It is not only about being able to go about life and expressing yourself without fear of reprisal. It is not only about bringing conflicting countries to the round table and discussion cease fires.

It is more about being able to live life with dignity when dealing with a chronic health situation without constantly having to fight for this dignity in addition to the daily health battles you face. It is about acknowledging these daily realities and putting policies in place to make things easier for those like me to go through life with dignity.

And as the world gathers in NYC for the UNGA, on this Sickle Cell Awareness month, it is important to amplify how much acess to crucial health care in a dignified manner for persons with sickle cell leads to peace.

That is what peace will mean for me.