Nigerian singer, Adekunle Gold has revealed to his fans that he is a sickle cell anemia carrier.
The 79th Element recording artiste made this known in his latest newsletter that he published on Friday, July 15.
āIt feels liberating to finally be able to share this part of my life with you, to finally be able to speak my truth. When I talk about how I struggled to get to where I am today, I need you to know that my struggle was real,” he wrote.
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His statement reads further;
āI was born with sickle cell disease. It was life and death, it was physical, mental, and financial, you name it and I went through it all. It was tough, painful and frustrating. I lived with a sickness no one around me understood. I lived with restrictions all my childhood.”
The father of one recounted how he was deprived of the fun parts of childhood because of the illness.
āI wasnāt able to join some of the most minor childhood play and liberating activities like going out in the rain. The times when I insisted and rebelled against my parentsā orders and went out in the rain, I would end up having a crisis,” he recounted.
“The nights were painful and lonely, nights that no one could help me get through. It was just me, God and my mind. The pains and shivers were unbearable.”
Gold also shared the harrowing nights he had a crisis and how his poor family could hardly afford to take care of his hospital bills.
āThey always came in the night, when my family had no means to transport me to a hospital. We simply couldnāt afford the constant hospital bill so I had no choice but to endure the pain,” he shared.
āMy mum wanted me to be well. She did her best. She took me to all the churches she could find. Iām grateful for her because she saw the future in me. A future where no illness or sickness could hold me back from my purpose, from the life I was destined to live.”
“Sickle cell disease took away my freedom, my childhood. I lost friends, a lot of them. Some didnāt understand the restrictions and rules I had to live by, some just didnāt want to deal with my illness or thought it was a nasty or contagious disease that they could catch. I was a burden for some, living with sickle cell is far from living a normal life.
The award-winning singer highlighted the time he begged God to take his life because of the unbearable pains.
āOne of the most intense crises I had was at the age of 20, I remember laying in my bed in the middle of the night asking for an end to it all. I begged God to take my life away because I couldnāt understand what I did to deserve the pain my body and mind was under. As usual with sickle cell after some days, the pain subsided and God asked me; āthat end you begged me for, do you still want it?ā
āOf course, I said no and thatās when everything changed for me. Thatās when I realized that I had been given another opportunity to live my dreams and to show those that mocked me that sickle cell anemia was never going to end me; that it was never going to hold me back from my dreams and aspirations.”
Gold revealed that despite the pains he still undergoes every now and then, he has mastered the art of resilience.
āMy body caves in once in a while, some symptoms come back but what this disease has taught me is resilience. Sickle cell anemia gave me hope, made me tough, gave me the discipline I needed to be who I am today, and built my character. I mean I went through a whole 5 weeks of back-to-back performances and didnāt fall sick. Grace.
My mind and body were challenged and Iām stronger, more determined and ready to take on the world. I am ready for Adekunle Gold Supremacy. I am ready to live and enjoy the 5-star life that I deserve, that my body toiled for.”
āIām sharing my testimony with you because I hope that you can find strength in my truth. Some ailments hold us back but Iām thankful this hasnāt. I want to encourage you in whatever it is youāre going through, know that there is hope. You are strong and you must not give up. You can do this. Victory lies at the end for you just as it did for me.”
In conclusion, he penned a message to sickle cell warriors, advising them to stay strong.
āIf you know anyone going through any struggle, physical, health, mental, be kind! Show compassion! In fact, be kind to everyone, you just never know what they are dealing with privately. Be supportive, be gentle and love endlessly,” he advised.
āIf you are a sickler, know that the disease does not define you. Donāt allow it to limit your dream or cap your potential. Spread your wings and dream big! Hope to see you soaring in the big skies.”
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