In November 2011, the frustration Johneather Winkfield felt reached its peak. She was involved in a serious domestic issue that involved her son, who has Sickle Cell.
“I decided to contact the producers of the show to see if they would let me appear and address my problem. My problem was my son’s father was denying him because he has Sickle Cell.”
In December, Ms. Winkfield and her son were flown to Connecticut where the show is aired, put up in a luxurious hotel, and treated like royalty. “They took care of everything, including our travel expenses and meals. “On the show, they paid for a DNA test, and I confronted my son’s father and his girlfriend. The whole thing was very dramatic.”
Ms. Winkfield said the show was aired February 8th, and she was surprised so many people saw it.
“When I got back to Tampa, I got a lot of praise for the way I carried myself on the show. “I was nervous, but I managed to make it through the show.”
Ms. Winkfield said appearing on the show gave her a lot of contact with other single mothers and mothers with loved ones that have Sickle Cell.
“I’d like to be a part of a group that helps us deal with Sickle Cell, and put more information out there about what the disease really is and how it is treated.
“If there is one thing I will always cherish is my experience of being on a live television show. I actually met P-Diddy at the airport. We spoke, and he gave me a wave and a smile when he left.”
Ms. Winkfield said if it takes going public with your domestic problems, don’t be afraid.
“If the only way you can get results is to put it on national television, then don’t be ashamed to do that. “I still have to pinch myself about being on the show. No matter where I go, people who I’ve never met before recognize me from being on the show, and they want to talk to me about the experience.”
Ms. Winkfield said as far as the Sickle Cell is concerned she monitors her son constantly, and appreciates the support she’s gotten from the local Sickle Cell organization.
Reporter Leon B. Crews can be reached at (813) 248-0724, or e-mailed at Lcrews@flsentinel.com.
