This-Abled Dad

Hello!

I’m Jared Formalejo. There are many things I can say about myself, but I’d like to introduce myself as a proud dad, committed husband and a disability advocate with a burning desire to help others and improve society, starting with my family.

I’m afflicted with a rare bleeding disorder called Hemophilia. This illness restricts my blood’s ability to clot, making me prone to internal bleeding. I’ve written about my condition extensively in the column The “I” in Hemophilia which you can find on Hemophilia News Today. I also suffer from a complex partial seizure disorder that makes me lose consciousness — making me a potential danger to myself when I’m alone.

My objective in life is to serve as a beacon of hope to others, especially people with disability (PWDs). I constantly challnge my limitations to prove that PWDs shouldn’t be defined by their limitations and that nothing should hinder our ability to grow, succeed and experience fulfillment. And it’s my family that gives me the strength and inspiration I need to achieve this goal.