A Father’s Unwavering Support: Frankline and Joey's Story

In this month’s community spotlight, we’re highlighting a father’s commitment to supporting a child living with sickle cell disease. Franklin’es journey through fatherhood exemplifies love, perseverance, and an unwavering dedication to his daughter, Joey. As Father’s Day approaches, he reflects on nearly eighteen years of resilience while navigating sickle cell disease alongside his daughter, who continues to inspire him every day.

Joey was born in Kenya during a time when newborn screening for sickle cell disease was not widely available. Frankline and his wife were unaware of Joey’s condition until she experienced her first pain crisis as an infant. “Unfortunately, sickle cell presented itself through a painful crisis, and we didn't even know it was going to be a sickle cell pain crisis,” Frankline recalls. “She was only a few months old.”

After days of crying, swelling in her hands and feet, and multiple medical visits, Joey was finally diagnosed. Because of the severity of her symptoms, she began taking hydroxyurea at a very young age. Frankline says one of the primary reasons his family eventually moved to the United States was to give her access to better medical care and opportunities.

Looking back on their journey, Frankline says raising a child with sickle cell disease has transformed him in ways he never expected.

“It’s taught me a lot of patience,” he says. “It’s taught me a lot about faith and belief. And it’s honestly taught me the importance of being present for a child who is going through such painful crises. It makes a difference to be physically and emotionally available as a dad.”

He credits much of their success to the partnership he shares with his wife, describing their caregiving as a collective effort to ensure Joey always had the support she needed.

While sickle cell disease has presented countless challenges, Frankline says Joey’s strength has been his greatest source of inspiration.

“If I had to characterize her, I would say perseverance, resilience, tenacity, and grit,” he says.

Despite years of hospitalizations, pain crises, and missed school days, Joey has continued to excel. This spring, she graduated from high school with high honors and will be attending Howard University in the fall.

“She’s only 17, but I actually think she’s lived the experiences of someone much older because of everything she’s had to go through,” Frankline says. “The fact that she’s been able to deal with sickle cell, miss school, go through painful crises, and still graduate with high honors speaks to who she is.”

As Joey prepares to begin the next chapter of her life at Howard University, Frankline admits that letting her go has not been easy. Like many parents, he worries about his child living away from home. But after years of watching her overcome obstacle after obstacle, he has confidence in her ability to thrive.

For Frankline, fatherhood is about much more than providing for a child. It is about showing up, remaining committed, and being intentional every day.

“Anyone can be a father, but it takes something special to be a dad,” he says. “You have to be intentional. You have to be physically and emotionally available. No one is a perfect father, but you have to keep trying to be the best version of yourself.”

This Father’s Day, Frankline’s story serves as a powerful reminder that fatherhood is not measured by perfection, but by presence, perseverance, and unconditional love.