Hi my name is Yahmeshau Vene.I am the mother of a five-year-old child living with sickle cell disease. This is a disease that not only affects my son but our whole family. I have been dealing with Doctors Hospitals and Er visits since my son's birth. I have and currently witnessed the effect this disease has on my child mentally emotionally and physically.The unbearable pain is too much for a parent to witness. I experienced long days and nights in hospitals do to pain crisis because of this disease. When I heard that there wasn't a protocol in place for sickle cell patients to continue taking opiates and or an exception for those suffering with this debilitating disease I was floored. What shall I tell my child why I can't help him anymore he needs to be able to live without suffering constantly. I can't comprehend being let down in such a way as a parent and caregiver of a child living with sickle cell. We are asking that you not turn a blind eye on the population who are suffering and at mercy from this awful disease. Life isn't promised but relief can and should be.