Mental health issues complicate treatment for sickle cell patients
April Ward-McGrory is a sickle cell patient, double amputee and advocate for those living with sickle cell disease. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
“It really hurts when it’s somebody you think is going to at least try to understand or be empathetic … all they see is my Black face and my sickle cell,” said April Ward-McGrory. She’s had both legs amputated because of sepsis and nearly died several times from complications related to the sickle cell disease.
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Sickle Cell Disease social determinates of health Mental health UTHSC Methodist University HospitalAisling Mäki
Aisling Mäki has spent the better part of two decades writing about Memphis. A former digital journalist for WMC Action News 5 and staff reporter for Memphis Daily News, her work has also appeared in The Commercial Appeal, High Ground News, I Love Memphis, Inside Memphis Business, The Memphis Flyer, Memphis Parent, Memphis Magazine and Tri-State Defender.
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