Tonights flight to New York is a bigger milestone for me than most people can imagine. Back in 2012, I got fatally ill. I spent 2 weeks in a hospital bed in Nigeria and before long, I was evacuated to South Africa because chances of my survival were low in the state I was in. The lovely Ranya Kargbo and late UNICEF Nigeria country representative Ibrahima Fall made sure I was evacuated on time. I spent a few months there, between the high care ward and the ICU I was on the brink of dying more times than I can remember, totally bed bound, lost the ability to breathe, walk or eat on my own. One of the reasons I didnt just die of stress was the incredible and unwavering support from some of the most amazing families Ive ever met, namely Shaeera Kalla and Georgia Mae Beath-Smiths families. They kept visiting me in the hospital and providing me with food and company even after their loved ones had left the hospital. I even made wonderful friends among the nurses who cared for me while I was there - Tamara, Prisca, Veronica, Bonisiwe to name a few...(y) Soon after I left South Africa, miraculously alive, I had to go back for two final surgeries and thats when I met Anas Ahmad, whose family still maintains wonderful ties with mine. I battled much more for another year, only to end up with acute post traumatic stress. Then I met the wonderful people at Ideas Evolved and slowly (but surely), I recovered and emerged as a completely different person. If I had the option to go back and warn myself, I wouldnt because losing the bonds and friendships Ive gained as a result of it all is never going to be worth it. Im going to be starting a whole new chapter in my life now with a new outlook on life as whole. Im incredibly scared, yet incredibly excited! Heres to the future with all of my old friends, the new friends I made and the wonderful people I look forward to meet in New York ( Kacper, Noah, Taiven, Meg, JP and so many more...) Heres to a new beginning and NOT an ending (y)
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 16:14:33 +0000
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