Young Nigerian Lady narrates how she graduated from Unilag with a first-class despite the health challenges she faced.
A recent Unilag graduate took to social media to share what she saw as a testament to her education.
Joy claims that she was admitted to the University of Lagos while suffering from Avascular Necrosis of the Hipbone as a result of Sickle cell complications.
Doctors told her she’d never be able to walk on her own again unless she had hip replacement surgery.
She described how she struggled to keep up with schoolwork while also making it to her doctor’s appointment.
Joy changed her course of study to one that was less stressful at one point, but she is now a proud First Class Degree holder.
Read her Testimony below;
Entering Unilag with 6 Legs and Graduating with my 2 Legs will forever be a Testimony to me and my family….
I got admission into Unilag when I had a Sickle Cell complication- Avascular Necrosis of the hipbone. My doctors said I could never walk on my own until I have a hip replacement surgery on both hips. Hence they moved me from using crutches to using a walking frame.
Throughout my 100level, 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 cab men dint have the patience to wait for the process of folding it… etc
It took a toll on me socially, mentally and physically. Other students would stare at me on the road. Some got close to offer help, and even became friends in the long run. Some just stared and walked past.
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 crisis. 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 made up my mind to stop using crotches even if it will take me to limp and feel the pain
I am thankful for a few of friends and most importantly, my MOM and sisters, who constantly remind me to take care of myself, take my drugs, drink plenty of water, avoid stress and cold. Lol. 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 as a result of allergic reactions to an injection they give me during pain crisis. Imagine having to choose between having a flawless skin or being relieved of pain
I am most grateful to almighty God for seeing me through my degree. It could only be him. In all of these, I graduated from the University of Lagos with a FIRST CLASS DEGREE