About Hemophilia...

Hemophilia is a rare genetic bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot normally. Persons with hemophilia are missing or have a low level of a protein needed for normal blood clotting. About 18,000 people in the United States are known to have hemophilia. Hemophilia usually only occurs in males, except for rare exceptions. A person with severe hemophilia means that they have less than one percent clotting factor in their system.



Saturday, April 10, 2010



Today Dwight faces the transition from a single guy to becoming a responsible father and housekeeper in his new role of married life. Going from an independent young adult, whose main concern was himself he now must keep up with a very active toddler, who is perpetual motion every second that he is awake. Dwight lives in the world of motherhood 24-7 filled with fussy days, happy moments, temper tantrums, the continuous schedule of feeding, naps, and changing stinky diapers, interpreting babbling sounds into words, and seeing firsthand the subtle changes from babyhood to a little boy each week. So far Dwight has survived an arm bleed, hip bleed, and numerous small bleeds while taking care of his little boy with the satisfaction of knowing that Case has been a lot healthier this winter due to his attentive care. Instead of jumping in his truck and taking off at a moment’s notice, Dwight now has to plan ahead stocking a diaper bag with plenty of pampers, juice, snacks, and an emergency outfit, make sure that Case is dressed, load up the car, fasten a wiggly little boy into his car seat, and then head out.



The major U-turn of Dwight’s married life was changing from having a messy bedroom- that always was the bane of my existence- to juggling the fulltime job of housekeeping. Dwight’s one stint of keeping house for a year while we were gone was to wait until there weren’t any more dishes or silverware before washing them, wash his clothes only when there was nothing else to wear, and quickly sweep the house when he knew that I was coming home. Dwight soon learned that no matter how clean or tidy you make a house you have to turn around and do the very same tasks the next week. From throwing things down and letting stuff sit anywhere and everywhere in his bedroom at home, Dwight now has the chore of picking up and putting away items that seem to multiply each day. Life with a toddler equals clutter as Case’s one joy is dumping out the entire toy box every time it is filled back up. A working mother and a toddler quickly builds up a mountain of wash every couple of days not to mention dishes piling up in the sink. Dwight has discovered the one major rule of housekeeping that dirty clothes and dishes are a never ending chore. Where most married girls start out slowly by learning to maintain a regular schedule of meals and housecleaning with two adults, Dwight has plunged into the world of housework with two adults and an active toddler to boot.

Needless to say there isn’t a dull moment in Dwight’s life now-a-days. No matter how frustrating or exhausting life with a toddler can get all Dwight has to do is look into blue eyes of a little boy, who already imitates his every move and calls him daddy, to realize that every stinky diaper is well worth the effort of raising a son. And despite the successes and failures of maintaining a household throughout the day, Dwight is there each evening to welcome home his wife after a long day of work and schooling. Way to go, Dwight! We’re proud of you and how you have adapted to the world of being a househusband.