My name is Zainab. I’m 27 years old. An SS.
That is, I live with sickle cell disease.
My parents are both AS.
Oh, they They knew.
They were told.
They still married.
They said God approved it. They said love would be enough. They said faith would cover the consequences.
I am the consequence.
I was diagnosed before I was two. My childhood memories are not playgrounds or cartoons,they are; hospitals, needles, and adults whispering when they thought I couldn’t hear.
In primary school, I missed classes so often that teachers stopped asking why. Some classmates thought I was pretending. Some thought I was cursed. I learned early how to smile while feeling different.
By secondary school, the pain episodes became more frequent. I would wake up excited for school and end the day on a hospital bed. I watched my mates grow normally while my life moved in pauses, school, hospital, recovery, repeat.
At 15, I lost my younger brother to sickle cell.
We were both SS.
That day changed me forever.
My parents broke down in front of me — crying, apologizing, saying “We followed faith. We didn’t think…”
But the damage had already been done.
Sometimes I forgive them.
Sometimes I resent them deeply.
Both feelings live in me.
In university, I tried to be normal. I joined sickle cell advocacy groups, volunteered with awareness organizations, spoke at events, encouraged parents to test their genotype. People call me strong. They call me a warrior.
What they don’t see is me crying alone at night after another silent pain episode.
They don’t see the fear that comes with planning a future in a body that doesn’t always cooperate.
And Relationships?
That’s another wound.
I’ve been loved… briefly.
The moment conversations turn serious about marriage, children, commitment….they leave. Some are honest. Some ghost me. Some promise forever and disappear quietly.
One man once said he would do anything for me. He talked about taking me abroad, better care, a life without fear. I believed him. For the first time, my heart rested.
Then one day, he stopped calling.
That heartbreak triggered one of the worst crises I’ve had as an adult. Not because of physical stress but because hope collapsed.
Now I’m older. The pain episodes come differently. Less dramatic, but more exhausting. My body recovers slower. My fears are heavier. I ask myself questions my parents never asked each other.
I am strong, yes.
But I am tired.
If you are AS and the person you love is AS, please love your unborn children enough to stop and think. Faith is not a license to ignore knowledge. I am a proof to that
I didn’t ask to be a lesson.
But if my life can prevent another child from being born into avoidable pain, then my voice matters.
That’s why I’m writing this to you. Because people listens to you and this story needs to be heard. I hope that your audience share this till it reaches those who are about to walk by faith and not by sight, Sickle Cell is real!.
Adeyinka, keep rescuing lives, I love how you raise awareness and say the truth unapologetically, those who do not like you are probably those who wish they could be you. Have you met you?. Oh,I see you Queen Ade💪🏻
If only they knew that asking me to leave the bank would turn me into a multimillionaire, they would have left me there - collecting my ₦640k monthly, jeje.
By this time six years ago, my name had already been compiled and signed off for dismissal.
While I was rejoicing through Christmas and New Year, celebrating life and gratitude, a decision had already been made behind closed doors.
Little did I know that the new year would greet me with an “advice to resign.”
My computer was deactivated.
My access cut off.
The most painful part, my family was stranded in the hospital - without medical attention.
That moment felt like an ending.
But it was not.
It was a painful beginning disguised as loss.
Sometimes, what breaks you is what frees you.
Sometimes, rejection is direction.
And sometimes, the door that closes behind you is the one that finally forces you to build your own house.
What felt like humiliation became elevation.
What felt like abandonment became alignment.
Life didn’t end there.
It began there.
This day remember to pray for your enemies - they may be pushing you to your destiny. 😃😃😃
I remember meeting a rich man’s daughter when I was in Law School. She told me her full name and said “You must know my father.” I said “No o. Did he say he knows me?” She never spoke to me again. 😂😂😂
If you are ever made part of a breakout group, always offer to write and present your group’s work. Why?
1. You’ll understand every point before writing it down.
2. Presenting gives you visibility with your bosses.
3. While presenting, you can add your own nuance.
4. When you finish presenting, asking your group members if you left out anything shows inclusiveness but also confidence.
5. You may be asked to work with the senior person that is compiling the entire report. Before you know it, “Group B” will become “Joe’s Group.”
6. The picture of you presenting is the one that will be in any event report for posterity.
NB: If you are woman, don’t be shy to do this. If you are, the men will make you invisible. Don’t let them.
I am Ezemmuo. I know things.
When you start making decent money, do this
1. Buy fewer clothes, but wear the highest quality.
2. Eat premium and healthy food, not junk.
3. Hire a helper for household chores. Buy back your time.
4. Upgrade your mattress. Sleep changes everything.
5. Invest in experiences,
Guys,
I and few visionary contributors created an app that let you leave crucial information in an encrypted vault for loved ones to find in case of loss, disappearance, death or emergencies.
Please share this and open thread to see how it works 👇
In this Club World Cup
Sanchez Best Goalkeeper
Cucurela Best Defender
Palmer Best Player
Reece James Best Captain
Maresca Best Coach
NaijaFarmer Best Farmer
Chelsea FC Best Football Club
Retweet 🚀🚀🚀
Two Finals = 2 cups!
Where are the people that entered final and bottled it? 😂😂😂
Or those that didn't smell final but have Saka- Riyau as their savior 😂😂😂
Una mind no go touch down!
Y'all delete those drafts and congratulate the senior men
👽👽👽
🧿 There are millions of us #Chelsea fans on 𝕏 🔵⚪️
🧿 No Chelsea fan should have a few hundred followers. We should all follow each other🫵🏻🤜🏻🤛🏿
🧿 Use this post to connect with Chelsea fans... Like, Repost and comment to reach out to fellow Blues! #CFC