A Touch of Scarlett, our journey with a rare bleeding disorder

2020, what a year. It seems appropriate that Halloween weekend during the pandemic would end up being when my little girl become a woman.  Friday October 30, 2020 It started at 12:35 pm on a Friday. Halloween was the next day and my son's school was having a safe-distance trick-or-treating event that we'd been anxiously awaiting to attend. This would be the first time either of my kids were getting invited to come onto one of their campus' since the school year started. So, we were dressed in our Halloween outfits and ready for a fun filled day.  Keeping on her brave face as we rush out the door. We were rushing out the door, late as usual. Since the pandemic... we've definitely taken advantage of having a minimal schedule and being on time hasn't become our strong suit. Scarlett came running up to me whispering “ Mommy Mommy, when I wiped there was blood. ” I scurried her back to the bathroom to the assess the situation and assured her she’d be oK. " This was ...

Hello, My name is Kari Peepe and in 2011 my daughter and I were diagnosed with a platelet storage pool disorder. After several years of researching and going online to find men sharing their stories about hemophilia, but never women talking about platelet disorders. . . I decided to start my own personal blog, A touch of Scarlett. This has become a place where I share stories about our life with a rare bleeding disorder, spread awareness and hopefully empower others to help me in the fight for a better treatment plan.  1- What is PSPD? PSPD is as autosomal inherited disorder (like Cystic Fibrosis) PSPD is a rare autosomal inherited bleeding disorder. Unlike hemophilia which is an x linked recessive bleeding disorder. Platelet disorders fall into 2 categories Qualitative (abnormal function and/or structure of the platelet) vs. Quantitative (from having too few or too many).We fall under the qualitative category. Platelets are small parts of the blood cells that hel...

I'm a California girl and unfortunately was taught quickly that how I looked played an important role in where I stood on the social ladder. .  and going through adolescence with an undiagnosed bleeding disorder didn't make that any easier. Unexplained bruises covered my arms and legs. Bloody noses started for no rhyme or reason and countless other embarrassing bleeding episodes took place during my most impressionable years. All in a town where looks seemed to outweigh personality and character. Fast Forward to me now. A wife, teacher and mother of 2. I'm absolutely exhausted, working my butt off trying to balance being a present Mom, all while working enough to help get food on the table and the bills paid. And although I would like to say that my appearance is always on point. . .that would be a lie. I rarely have time or remember to put on make-up and do my hair, let alone moisturize, exercise, or go shopping for the latest trend. I must admit. . . I would LOVE to...

An interview I did with HFA. . . http://hemophiliafed.org/dateline/HFA_Dateline_2015_Q2_Summer/#p=26 For more stories on my journey with defending our disorder and becoming our own advocates please check out: The Jackass Whisperer, Dealing with other people's judgements:  http://atouchofscarlett.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-jackass-whisperer.html Help wanted!Seeking Dr who give a shit:  http://atouchofscarlett.blogspot.com/2014/03/help-wanted-seeking-dr-who-gives-shit.html Defending our Disorder:  http://atouchofscarlett.blogspot.com/2014/02/defending-our-disorder.html I am PSPD:  http://atouchofscarlett.blogspot.com/2015/04/i-am-pspd.html Interviews, Published pieces, etc: http://atouchofscarlett.blogspot.com/2015/02/my-voice-is-being-heard-interviews.html Fear of the Unkown:  http://atouchofscarlett.blogspot.com/2014/08/fear-of-unknown-my-1st-blog-for.html

A piece I wrote for  HFA 's Infusing Love . Originally posted on August 19, 2015 http://www.hemophiliafed.org/news-stories/2015/08/infusing-love-her-own-protector/ Infusing Love: Her Own Protector Categories:  Adult Women ,  Community Voices ,  Families ,  HFA News ,  Mom's Blog: Infusing Love August 19, 2015 The first few years after Scarlett got diagnosed with a Platelet Storage Pool Disorder (PSPD), I was sure she was never going to live a normal life. Being told your 2-year-old has a life threatening condition and that you would have to keep her safe and free from injuries, proved to be harder than I imagined. Throughout her preschool years, we were faced with countless trips to the doctor and emergency room over injuries that I eventually learned I could not prevent. Proof that Scarlett bruised immensely and the doctor’s constant fears of head injuries had me feeling like I was going to have to keep my daughter in a bubble for eternit...

A piece I wrote for  HFA 's Infusing Love . Originally posted on May 20, 2015 http://www.hemophiliafed.org/news-stories/2015/05/infusing-love-physical-fundraising/ Infusing Love: Physical Fundraising Categories:  Adult Women ,  Community Voices ,  Families ,  HFA News ,  Mom's Blog: Infusing Love May 20, 2015 This is becoming one of my favorite times of the year to be a bleeding disorders advocate.  It’s the time of year when individuals of all ages come together to raise crucial money for the community by participating in walks and bike rides across the country. In 2011, HFA hosted it’s first annual  Gears for Good Bike ride  from West Virginia to DC, to help raise awareness about bleeding disorders, all while raising funds for HFA’s financial assistance program,  Helping Hands.  Each year, more and more individuals have been joining in the fight to raise money for this important cause. And in 2014 HFA succ...