Selected Work

A few things I've been working on lately. From mental health to chronic conditions, treatment, and patient education. Have a look around!

Acute Chest Syndrome and Sickle Cell: A Medical Emergency Explained | MySickleCellTeam

Chest pain, trouble breathing, or fever can be worrying when you have sickle cell disease (SCD) or care for a child with the condition. You may wonder if it’s an infection that will pass, a pain crisis, or a serious complication like acute chest syndrome (ACS).Although ACS responds well to timely treatment, it can still be life-threatening. In fact, ACS is the most common cause of death in people with SCD. Younger children are more likely to develop ACS, but adults can develop it too. About half...

Sickle Cell Pain Crisis: Symptoms, Triggers, and Relief | MySickleCellTeam

If you’re living with sickle cell disease (SCD) and develop intense pain, you may be having a sickle cell pain crisis. Unlike chronic (ongoing) pain, which occurs on most days, a pain crisis can start suddenly and may require medical care.If this feels familiar, you may already know how difficult it can be to decide whether to seek care, especially if your pain hasn’t always been taken seriously. It may help to understand what a pain crisis is, what can help you get through one, and when to get...

Can White People Get Sickle Cell Disease? Race and Ancestry Explained | MySickleCellTeam

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is often thought of as a condition that only affects Black people. That isn’t true. Although SCD disproportionately affects Black people, anyone can inherit the gene variants that cause the disease, according to the journal International Orthopaedics.So does race determine who gets SCD? Not exactly. Ancestry can affect the likelihood, but it can’t tell you whether you actually have it.Here’s a closer look at who’s most likely to have SCD, how ancestry affects risk, and...

Sickle Cell Disease Gallstones: Why They Happen | MySickleCellTeam

If you’re living with sickle cell disease (SCD) and have suddenly started having abdominal pain, gallstones could be behind this new symptom. With SCD, though, abdominal pain can have more than one cause. It’s important to find out what’s causing it and get the appropriate medical care.Even if you’ve had your pain dismissed or questioned by healthcare providers before, abdominal pain can have different causes and deserves careful evaluation. It may help to understand why gallstones are more comm...

Leg Ulcers in Sickle Cell Disease | MySickleCellTeam

A sickle cell leg ulcer can add another challenge when you’re managing other symptoms of sickle cell disease (SCD). When a wound develops, you may not know whether you should be worried, whether you can manage it at home, or when to seek care.Seeking care can be difficult if your chronic pain or other concerns have been dismissed before. Whether you’re living with SCD or caring for a child with the condition, it’s important to know how to care for a sickle cell leg ulcer, manage pain, and find s...

Types of Sickle Cell Disease: HbSS, HbSC, and Others | MySickleCellTeam

Sickle cell disease (SCD) isn’t just one condition. It includes several types, based on the specific gene variants a person inherits. Knowing the type can help you better understand possible symptoms, complications, and treatment options.But finding that information may not always be simple. People who were diagnosed years ago may not have easy access to their medical records, or they may never have had their specific type clearly explained to them. This article covers the different types of SCD...

Hi there, I'm Rashida.

I'm a health writer and content strategist.  I help health organizations, including nonprofits, advocacy groups, and health brands, create content people can trust—content that puts people's well-being first.


I've spent over a decade working as a registered psychiatric nurse, much of it in correctional settings supporting people living with mental health conditions and other vulnerabilities.

That experience changed how I think about health communication. I've seen how much the right words can matter when someone is struggling, looking for answers, or trying to make sense of what they're going through.

Words carry weight. They can calm or wound, connect or isolate, build trust or break it.


Online, I see the same thing play out. Health information can be accurate and still leave people confused, overwhelmed, or feeling like no one is speaking to them.

That's the kind of gap I want my work to close.

I write across mental health, chronic conditions, treatment, and broader health topics. Whatever the subject, I want readers to come away with a clearer understanding of their health, without feeling talked down to or lost in medical jargon.

When I'm not writing, you'll probably find me sipping chai, spending time by the ocean, making art, or laughing with my family along Kenya's coastline 🌊

At the heart of it all, my mission is simple:

When someone lands on something I've written, I want them to feel a little less lost and a little more informed.

Clients I've worked with: