A lady, Teju Olaoye, has narrated her incredible story that inspires so many people.
Teju had gotten admission into University of Lagos. But, diagnosed with Sickle Cell complication- Avascular Necrosis of the hipbone, her doctors said she could never walk on her own until I had a hip replacement surgery on both hips.
“Hence they moved me from using crutches to using a walking frame.” she said.
“Throughout my 100 level, I would walk to class and lab practicals with the walking frame, in pain, and in shame. I can’t even take a cab because the frame was heavy and the cabmen dint have the patience to wait for the process of folding it.”
Teju said it took a toll on her socially, mentally, and physically. “
“Other students would stare at me on the road. Some got close to offering help and even became friends in the long run. Some just stared and walked past. “
Miss Olaoye continued, “It was a struggle. Battling with sickle cell and having to study in Unilag was an extreme sport. The constant stress had a huge effect on my health. It was so bad that I had to change my course of study in my second year to a less stressful one.”
“I have been in and out of the hospitals so many times for sickle cell crises. Unilag medical center was almost like my second home at some point. The pain just springs up from nowhere and there were times I had to be rushed at midnight from the hostel to the medical center.”
“I remember writing my 100level exams on the hospital bed! Heck, I wrote almost every exam at the hospital. Writing lab reports and doing my assignments there sometimes too. I made up my mind to stop using crotches even if it will take me to limp and feel the pain.”
She confessed she was thankful for a few of my friends and most importantly, her MOM and sisters, who constantly reminded her to take care of herself, take her drugs, drink plenty of water, avoid stress and cold.
“People always wondered why I carried big handbags everywhere.”
“I couldn’t go anywhere without at least two bottles of water, a jacket, and socks. The scars on my body are a result of allergic reactions to an injection they give me during a pain crisis. Imagine having to choose between having flawless skin or being relieved of pain.”
She ended her story by expressing gratitude to Almighty God for seeing her through her first degree.
“It could only be him. In all of these, I graduated from the University of Lagos with a first-class degree.” She gushed.