Young Nigerian Lady narrates how she graduated from Unilag with a first-class despite the health challenges she faced

A young Unilag graduate has taken to social media to share what she deemed as a testimony as regards her education.

According to Joy, she gained admission into the University of Lagos when she was suffering from Avascular Necrosis of the hipbone as a result of Sickle cell complications.

The Doctors told her she could never walk on her own until she had hip replacement surgery.

She detailed how she struggled to keep up with school and also meet her Doctor’s appointment.

Joy, at one point, changed her course of study to a less stressful one but thankfully today, she’s 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 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 cabmen 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 crises. Unilag medical centre 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 centre

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

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 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

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