PJ Noel keeps a positive attitude about dealing with sickle cell anemia. He writes poetry and stories to cope. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY SUZANNE CARR ROSSI AND EDEL TRIPP/THE FREE LANCE-STAR View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

Writing through pain

Fredericksburg resident PJ Noel keeps the pain of sickle-cell anemia to himself, but doesn't hold anything back when he's got pen in hand

Date published: 5/30/2008

By CATHY DYSON

Over the years, doctors have asked PJ Noel to act more like a wimp.

They've told him he doesn't have to be so tough all the time, that it won't hurt if he lets his guard down. They've reminded him he doesn't have to say his pain is a "2" on a scale of 1 to 10, when they know it's much worse.

But so far, Noel hasn't followed doctors' orders. The 20-year-old is stoic about the symptoms of sickle cell anemia because he doesn't see the point of making a fuss.

"My reality is I'm going to be in pain every day of my life. It's going to be difficult," he said. "But I don't like to stay in the negative too much because that's not going to help me at all."

Sickle cell is a genetic disease that affects red blood cells. The normal round cells distort into long, sickle shapes and create blockages in blood vessels. That can cause pain and swelling, as well as the bone and tissue loss.

Noel's right side deteriorated so much, he needed a hip replacement at 17. He'll eventually need the same operation on his left side.

But he doesn't focus on the fact his body is more like a senior citizen's than a young man's.

He's grateful that he can walk, talk and see. His mind is perfectly capable of concocting characters that share his struggles or ones who take him far away.

Noel writes poems, stories, music and short films. Some are real, some fiction. They all have a message, whether he's commenting on race relations or make-believe revenge on those who cut his cornrows.

He has a good time putting thoughts on paper, and writing takes his mind off the pain.

"I think that is his release," said Janice Davies, who has known Noel since he was an infant. "It gives him an opportunity to get out of self and into a new realm of imagination and creativity."

Even as a child, Noel demonstrated a "quiet reserve," said Jene Radcliffe-Shipman, who organizes sickle cell programs for the Virginia Department of Health.

"It is as if sickle cell has been his creative muse at times," she said. "His pain speaks, not through anger or aggression, but through his written word."

CREATIVE FORCES The closest PJ Noel ever came to complaining about sickle-cell anemia came when he was 10. "He was in so much pain, he asked God to just take him," said his mother, Janice Noel. She can count on one hand the time she's seen him cry since he was a toddler. "He's just one of those people who wants to support others," she said. "He's uplifted me more than he can even imagine." Another woman in Noel's life has commented on his mental toughness, and that's model Tyra Banks. Noel met her in 2001 as part of a Make-a-Wish Foundation trip to California. The two correspond occasionally, and Banks has sent Noel dozens of autographed photos showing her in Victoria's Secret lingerie. Noel penned a poem about his "Obsession" with the model, to which Banks responded: "You are so talented. Continue to write!" The Fredericksburg Area Sickle Cell Association will sponsor a Celebration of Creativity at 3 p.m. Sunday at Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) in Fredericksburg. The event will feature poetry, music and art from local sickle cell clients. A "Mosaic of Strength," a 3- by 5-foot design featuring African symbols also will be unveiled. J&J Tile and Marble of Fredericksburg donated the materials for the mosaic, which was put together May 24-25 by local supporters of the sickle cell group. The association knows of about a dozen people in the Fredericksburg area who have sickle cell anemia. They range in age from 8 to 62. fascaonline.com The closest PJ Noel ever came to complaining about sickle-cell anemia came when he was 10. "He was in so much pain, he asked God to just take him," said his mother, Janice Noel. She can count on one hand the time she's seen him cry since he was a toddler. "He's just one of those people who wants to support others," she said. "He's uplifted me more than he can even imagine." Another woman in Noel's life has commented on his mental toughness, and that's model Tyra Banks. Noel met her in 2001 as part of a Make-a-Wish Foundation trip to California. The two correspond occasionally, and Banks has sent Noel dozens of autographed photos showing her in Victoria's Secret lingerie. Noel penned a poem about his "Obsession" with the model, to which Banks responded: "You are so talented. Continue to write!"

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Date published: 5/30/2008

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