Sickle Cell Awareness – Sottile’s Story & More
SOTTILE’S STORY – DAILY LIVING WITH SICKLE CELL
Sottile’s Story is a daily account of life with sickle cell disease through the eyes of the author of “Guess Who? Mama Pooh!”
Blog Post, Tuesday, May 3, 2016
This is from an interview on “Talk Worthy Radio.”
I talked about my book “Pieces of Me,” (Amazon.com) and performed spoken word from the book.
I also had the opportunity to discuss my advocacy work for sickle cell disease, my upcoming new book “Guess Who? Mama Pooh!”, and I recited a poem from the new book.
A sincere shout of gratitude to the Hostess of the program –Janice Marie Singleton.
Janice Marie Singleton interviewed me on the program, which is an entity of “Poets Without Limits,” production show.
I’ve known Janice for a few years, and she is such pleasure to be around. Her energy is always upbeat.
She’s a positive woman all around the board, and has a gift of inspiring those around her.
Janice is a seasoned actress. She appeared as Glenda “The Good Witch,” on Broadway in the Original “Wiz.”
She is currently using her thespian skills in CBS “The Good Wife,” and formerly filming with “Orange is the New Black.”
Janice is showcasing her multi-talented ability as Hostess of the “Talk Worthy,” radio program and is Editor of their New York Section of the online magazine at http://
I was honored to be interviewed by her.
I appreciate sharing the program with Minister Yolanda Robin Jones who invited Janice and I to her home where we both were interviewed.
Minister Robin served us some great food. We had desert, tea, water, laughs and a good time sharing our stories with you all.
Blessings and thank you again on behalf of us all!
Stacey Mason-Sottile Janice Marie Singleton Yolanda Robin Jones
Blog Post, Monday, February 1, 2016
Wow, this is the first blog post that I’ve made so far this year. I have so much that I could’ve posted about such as the end of the year events, New Year Goals, Decisions, Activities, etc…
However, I am going to make a brief post and it includes a “throw back,” letter.
While taking a journey of my “Healthy Living,” challenge, which includes a decision to get more organized, I came across the following letter as I was cleaning up old papers. It reminded me of how long I’ve been advocating for sickle cell disease, and also reiterated the necessity of dedicating time to talk to physicians letting them know the kind of treatment patients are expecting while in their care. Anyone can be their own advocate, so can you.
Blog Post Thursday, October 29, 2015
It was a pleasure speaking to High School Juniors & Senior students at the High School of Law Enforcement & Public Safety.
On Wednesday, October 28, 2015 the New York Blood Center invited me to the school to help incite energy & participation for the student’s up-coming blood drive.
I made a surprise appearance to the group of about 200 individuals. They were shown the New York Blood Center ‘s film that features my family, where I am speaking about my story of being diagnosed with sickle cell disease and my need for blood transfusions.
Right after the film ended I was introduced and warmly greeted with applause.
My message for the students was to never believe it when people tell you that you “can’t,” accomplish your dreams. I encouraged them to “Dream Big…Ignore the Naysayers & Haters.”
My example to them was the fact that I had to ignore the doctors who told me that I wouldn’t live past my teen years.
For many of my young years I saw no purpose in trying to set goals and achieve success. I shared this with the kids and told them that I had to get over that mind set and change my way of thinking.
I went from feeling like I wasn’t going to live long, so therefore why try to achieve anything when you won’t be around to see it through, to reaching for the stars.
I also had the wonderful opportunity to tell these students who are studying law enforcement of how it was important to me to include a positive image of a police officer in the “Guess Who? Mama Pooh!” series.
Police officers would often show up at my home the times the ambulance was call to take me to the hospital. The police usually arrived before the ambulance and sometimes would take me to the ER in their squat car on the occasions when the ambulance was delayed.
Images of kind and helpful officers stuck with me throughout my life, and gave me the ability to maintain balance when not so flattering events happen involving The Police.
This was a great day and I’m looking forward to the possibility of speaking to more youngsters with hopes to give them encouragement.
THANKS FOR THE LOVELY FLOWERS
STACEY SOTTILE FOR SOTTILE’S STORY
Blog Post Sunday, October 18, 2015 – Stacey Sottile
EMPOWER YOURSELF!
Flu season is upon us! A fist full of pills on a daily basis unfortunately is my reality as someone living with sickle cell disease.
Not so long ago I realized that I had become somewhat of a rebellious patient. Last week I turned forty four years old, and being that SCD is a genetic disease the daily routine of swallowing more than a half dozen of pills a day, which started since I was a small child began to become tiresome to me.
In addition to that, as an artist there is somewhere in my DNA that “I believe,” causes me to have a carefree and sometime UN-discipline lifestyle. Structure and organization occasionally takes a back seat when creativity strikes.
With these two distractions I found myself at times missing a dose of meds from time to time and not eating foods that are healthy for me.
Every action has a reaction, and due to my lackadaisical attitude towards keeping up with taking my medication and diet as I should, I found my health catapult out of control.
Suddenly right after I turned age 40 my health constantly started failing me, and I spent a lot of time away from my family by being in the hospital in pain and in need of treatment.
Well this “Warrior/Artist,” has developed a new attitude.
“I’M TAKING MY POWER BACK!”
Sometimes the pinch of reality can be painful. Yet, the pain caused from choosing to ignore the realness can be more devastating and detrimental.
Therefore, I am becoming a new “organized,” creature. I am taking my health back by doing whatever is possible to stay pro-active and out of the hospital.
In the words of Confucius, “A man (or woman) who does not plan ahead will find trouble at his door.”
So my pill box is stocked, my flu and pneumonia vaccinations are scheduled on time, I am monitoring my pills to make sure I don’t run out before my doctor orders a refill, and I’m planning healthy meals and snacks to take on the go.
Yes, having sickle cell is a bummer!!!! Having sickle cell is a lot MORE than a bummer!!!!
My advise to other warriors is to do what you can to be in control of your health.
The outcome for my neglect definitely wasn’t worth the simple attention it takes to be discipline and to make wise choices that can keep me well.
I pray that all warriors be well, be wise and be empowered!
Stacey Sottile for “Sottile’s Story”
Blog Post – June 13, 2015 – Stacey Sottile
SICKLE CELL IS A GLOBAL CONCERN
Yes Sickle Cell is a “Global Concern.” It isn’t a “Black Disease,” as with the mixing of cultures through procreation it has spread SCD to many other ethnic groups such as (Greek, Italian, Asian, and Middle Eastern). That’s just naming a few.
Personally for me, my husband who was born in Italy carries the Sickle cell trait, and with me having the disease it gave our son a 50/50 chance of being born with the Disease.
Thank God both of my kids are healthy and only carry the trait. Yet, I share this to let folks know the importance of knowing if they carry the trait for sickle cell anemia.
Even someone like me who advocates for the disease was not expecting to meet and fall in love with someone from another culture and have them say that they too are effected by sickle cell.
Knowledge is power. Know your sickle cell status. It can change your life!
Stacey Sottile for “Sottile’s Story.”
I’m pleased that I seen this website, precisely the proper information that I was trying to find! dddfabcfaeec
This is really attentiongrabbing, You’re a very professional blogger. I have joined your rss feed and sit up for in search of extra of your fantastic post. Also, I have shared your site in my social networks! cedkkekcebdbfggf
Thanks