The Reflection in the Mirror: Forging Identity and Self-Worth with a Chronic Condition

Looking Back at Myself: Finding Who I Am with Haemophilia

It's funny, isn't it? When you live with something like haemophilia, it doesn't just affect your body; it really gets into your head and heart too. For so long, I felt like my identity was just... 'the kid with haemophilia.' It was like looking in a mirror and only seeing the condition, not the person behind it. And honestly, that can be a really tough place to be.

I remember feeling so different from my friends. They'd be running around, playing sports, and I'd be sitting on the sidelines, worried about a bleed or just feeling too tired. It made me question so much about myself. Am I strong enough? Am I capable? Will anyone ever see past this thing I have? Those doubts can really eat at you, you know?

But over time, something started to shift. It wasn't a sudden, dramatic change, more like a slow dawning. I began to realise that haemophilia is a part of my story, but it's not the *whole* story. It's a chapter, maybe even a significant one, but there are so many other pages filled with my passions, my quirks, my strengths, and the people I love.

I started to find my voice, to advocate for myself, and to connect with others who truly understood what I was going through. That was huge. Suddenly, I wasn't so alone. We were in this together, sharing tips, laughing at the absurdities, and just being there for each other. It helped me see that my experiences, even the tough ones, could actually be a source of strength and empathy.

And you know what? That reflection in the mirror started to change. I still saw haemophilia, sure, but I also saw resilience. I saw someone who'd faced challenges and kept going. I saw a person who was learning to be kind to themselves, to celebrate small victories, and to live a full life, even with its limitations. It's not always easy, and some days are still a struggle, but I'm learning to embrace all of me. And that, for me, is what true self-worth feels like.

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