Guest post by Jamal Joseph, Jr. & Sr.
It is never easy for a parent to see their child being treated in the hospital. Jamal Joseph, Sr. knew what it was like for the first time to feel helpless when his son, Jamal Joseph, Jr. said, “Daddy, do something” while receiving doses of morphine to manage the pain caused by Sickle Cell Disease. At the time, there was very little research on Sickle Cell Disease, no real treatments, and life expectancy was short. Joseph, Sr. knew that there was not much he could do for his son. He knew that “it would take a village, the action of parents, family, the doctors, nurses, and medical community to do something” and to make an actual difference for those living with the disease.
“As an artist with sickle cell anemia, I’ve encountered a surprising amount of doubt from my fellow peers and mentors in creative industries. When I was a teenager, I auditioned and was accepted into an elite performing arts school. Upon finding out I had sickle cell disease, the lead theater instructor kept me away from any real acting or directing roles for fear my condition might inconvenience her and the production. She advised I take up less demanding hobbies. Being the stubborn kid I was, I ignored this “helpful” advice. Film and the creative arts gives me an outlet to work out my frustration and anger in dealing with Sickle Cell Anemia. The performing arts gives me both an imaginative world into which to escape and a concrete way to vent my feelings.” – Jamal Joseph Jr.
Today, Jamal is a successful artist, exercising his artistic freedom on stations such as Comedy Central and BET. He received his master’s degree in Film from Columbia University. He’s performed on the Oscar Stage, and he regularly works on-and off-camera in sketch shows, sports documentaries, features, television, and short films. He has come this far, even though his peers and mentors in the creative industries have doubted him because of his health. He has learned a lot from his experiences and he has one piece of advice for everyone: “don’t let anything- person, disease or otherwise, deter you from fulfilling your dreams”.