I can't Marry you!

Many people living with the Sickle Cell Disorder often witness difficulties in chosing and having a life partner as a result of the disorder in their blood and the fear, misconceptions and believes that exist in the society.

The four common genotypes we have in Nigeria includes: AA, AS, SS, and SC
People with AA are at will to choose any other partner with any other type of genotype without any form of having to bother about any gene disorder. When it comes to the turn of AS, SS and SC, they need to be careful (genotype wise) as to who they choose as their life partner.

As earlier established, AS can get married to AA as the possibility of having a child with the trait (Hb S-AS) is 25%, away from this, all their children can also have the AA genotype. Also, AS to AS is really not adviseable because the possibility of having a child with SS is 25% while the possibility of having a child with the trait (Hb S-AS) is 50% whilst having a child with AA is also 25%. Futhermore, AS should not get married to SS because their exist a huge tendency of having a child with SS by 75% and a child with AS by 25%.

Now, considering people living with sickle cell, it is not adviseable to marry anyone with SS or their kind as this can be counted as delibrate action to bring about more of their kind. The possibility of having a child with SS in this kind of relationship is 100%. Also, SS to AS is not adviseable because their exist only 25% of having a chld with AS and 75% chance of having a child with SS.
However, the best partner for a SS patient is AA as thier exist a chance of 100% of having a child or children with AS thereby helping in the reduction of the disorder to traits.

The problem nowadays with this is that, persons with AA that are supposed to be the perfect match for persons with SS have refused to yield this decision as they are scared and guided by preconceptions from mis-information.

I have seen a man with AA that broke up with his SS wife fews days to their wedding just because of misconceptions and inability to fathom the concept of the sickle cell disorder. This is heartbreaking, how on earth can this be in this 21st century? 

Let us embrace one another in love irrespective of genotype differences. Let's say no to genotyope discrimination. 

We are warriors!
We shall overcome someday!
We deserve a better future!


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