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Today on Beyond the Bleeds, Heather and John are joined by Christopher George and his daughter, Felicity Grajeda, for part one of a two-part conversation exploring how hemophilia shapes a family and the different ways it can impact life from childhood through adulthood.
Christopher shares what it was like growing up with severe hemophilia, from managing painful bleeds and traveling for care to learning how to self-infuse and eventually taking greater ownership of his treatment. He reflects on how much hemophilia care has changed throughout his life and the family, friends, treatment centers, and bleeding disorders community that supported him along the way.
The conversation then shifts to family and the decisions Christopher faced when thinking about having children of his own. Felicity shares what it was like growing up with a father and other family members with hemophilia, knowing she could be a carrier, and how openly talking about bleeding disorders made it a normal part of life rather than something her family shied away from.
Through their father-daughter perspectives, Christopher and Felicity offer a unique look at how experiences with hemophilia can carry across generations while changing with advances in treatment, greater awareness, and strong community connections. Be sure to join us again in two weeks for part two of their story.
“I never once felt that it was anything to be ashamed of. It was no different than I have brown eyes and hemophilia. I just tried to be as open with it as possible.” — Christopher George
This episode of Beyond the Bleeds explores:
- Christopher’s experience growing up with severe hemophilia
- How treatment and self-infusion helped build independence
- The importance of family, friends, and community support
- Navigating hemophilia when thinking about starting a family
- Felicity’s experience growing up as a carrier in a family with hemophilia
Looking for practical tips, expert advice, and a sense of community while living with or supporting someone with a bleeding disorder?
Subscribe to Beyond the Bleeds, the podcast that explores life with hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and other rare conditions. Hosted by Heather Hansen and John Mazzariello, we share real stories and helpful conversations to support families at every stage.
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