THE NEED FOR TESTING

I first learned of  Sickle Cell Disease as a freshman at Howard University. To say the least it was a mind blowing experience.  I was always told that my sickness associated with sickle cell disease was due to my being anemic. As a kid you never put two together.  As a black male at Howard I was reluctant to tell anyone about my disease. For many years I continued to hide behind a secrecy. I attribute this part to holding myself together and being strong.

It was a pact that I held with myself. I kept this from family, if possible, friends and even lady friends. Ultimately, my early knowledge allowed me to make some critical decisions. I was determined not to bring a child into this world with sickle cell disease. When I proposed to my wife we both knew my condition and desire. I think because of her knowledge she felt the same way. That we not take the risk and therefore she was tested and found not to have the sickle cell trait. We have three wonderful children and sometimes they complain of trait like symptoms but will never experience the devastating pain nor hopefully organ damage that I have experienced. They have full knowledge of the disease and can make appropriate decisions.

I was particularly interested in talking about testing after my wife and I overheard a couple in our hematologist office discussing finding out that she had sickle cell anemia and he had the trait,  therefore the baby would have sickle cell anemia. You see some patients are in favor of knowing prior to the birth of the baby.  It is only my opinion that one should know ahead of time what they are looking forward to. What's your opinion on the subject of testing and prior knowledge of newborn screening?  
A link on testing is provided below
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/sickle/


 http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/sickle/