A young Nigerian woman, Imabong has called on Nigerians to check their genotype before getting married to avoid giving birth to children with sickle cell disease.
The lady who is battling the disease tearfully narrated her suffering since being born with sickle cell.
In a post on her account @theimabong, she cautioned against the ignorance of marrying without considering genetic compatibility.
According to her, such decision subjects children to a lifetime of suffering, including herself.
Sickle Cell: Challenges and irreversible struggle of ignoring genotype compatibility.
- Limping: She revealed that she developed a permanent limp 12 years ago as a pain-coping mechanism, making it impossible for her to wear flat slippers. Corrective medical intervention, estimated at over $15,000, remains out of reach due to financial constraints.
- Medication Addiction: The sickle cell warrior disclosed the risks of becoming dependent on strong pain medications required to manage her condition. Prolonged use, she explained, can lead to kidney failure, adding to her health battles.
- Multiple Surgeries: Having undergone three surgeries and using epidural anaesthesia, she shared that its side effects, such as chronic back pain, have significantly impacted her quality of life and may have reduced her lifespan.
- Emotional and Mental Effects: She recounted facing stigma, depression, and suicidal thoughts, exacerbated by societal insensitivity, including questions about her yellow eyes and physical differences.
- Financial Strain: Managing sickle cell disease has taken a toll on her finances, with hefty expenses for medications, stress management, and maintaining her health.
- Imabong concluded with an emotional plea, urging couples to prioritize genotype compatibility before marriage. She emphasized that the struggles faced by those living with sickle cell disease are often preventable, and awareness can save future generations from unnecessary pain.