Nigerian artiste, Adekunle Kosoko, also known as Adekunle Gold recently shared an inspiring story of how he rose from grass to grace, despite the struggle he went through as a child with sickle cell anaemia.
The music star in a newsletter on ‘the truth’ told his subscribers how the sickness denied him childhood fun and how he endured pain because his family couldn’t afford the constant hospital bill.
He said that he found it necessary to share his testimony to serve as an inspiration to anyone going through any physical health, or mental struggle in life.
Recommended reading: Blood group compatibility for Marriage
What Adekunde Gold is saying
He wrote in his newsletter, “It 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.
“I 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.
“I wasn’t 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 parents’ orders and went out in the rain, I would end up having a crisis.
“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.
“They always came in the night, when my family had no means to transport me to a hospital. We simply couldn’t afford the constant hospital bill so I had no choice but to endure the pain.
“My mum wanted me to be well. She did her best. She took me to all the churches she could find. I’m 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 didn’t understand the restrictions and rules I had to live by, some just didn’t 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.
“One 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 couldn’t 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; “that end you begged me for, do you still want it?”
“Of course, I said no and that’s when everything changed for me. That’s 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.
“My 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, built my character. I mean I went through a whole 5 weeks of back to back performances and didn’t fall sick. Grace.
“My mind and body were challenged and I’m 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.
“I’m sharing my testimony with you because I hope that you can find strength in my truth. Some ailments hold us back but I’m thankful this hasn’t. I want to encourage you in whatever it is you’re 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.
“If 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.
“If you are a sickler, know that the disease does not define you. Don’t allow it to limit your dream or cap your potential. Spread your wings and dream big! Hope to see you soaring the big skies.
I’m also a sickle cell patients but I’m still battling with it. I will be a finalist in the next four months. I did not let the sickness hold me down from becoming a successful person.
God will perfect your testimony bro 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Waooo… So encouraging. God bless you for coming out plain. What could not kill you will mend you. Congratulations brother. Amen to all believeing God for such miracle.
I am also a sickler, I understand everything u went through, I also felt the pains too, but I thank God for everything and for my today.
Thank God for your life, more strength more grace in Jesus name Amen 🔥
I am also a sickle cell victim it has never being easy. But I thank God for my today has I hope for a better survival future. Thanks for sharing your story Ade Gold.
And we the survival needs to be speaking up more to encourage children going through these. Also thanking our parents especially our mother’s for not giving up on us.
I am also a sickle cell victim it has never being easy. But I thank God for my today has I hope for a better survival future. Thanks for sharing your story Ade Gold.
And we the survival needs to be speaking up more to encourage children going through these. Also thanking our parents especially our mother’s for not giving up on us.
Grateful to God for your life. I relate and understand you totally. I am not a sickler but I have two sisters who are, lost one but always grateful to God for my one and only sis alive . She is a warrior and testimony to God’s greatness. She is an embodiment of everything good created by God. I loud every person living with sickle cell anaemia , caring parents and family that are actively present in their struggles. You shall all live to fulfill your purposes to God’s glory.Amen
It is well with you thank God for perfecting your life . Your testimony is permanent ijmn
Waooo, congratulations brother, but unfortunately as a single mother I lost my own daughter two weeks ago to sickle cell anemia at age of 19yrs .I’m still in pains, heartbroken and agony of losing my beautiful daughter as I write now 😢 😢 😢 😢 😢. I can really relate, all the pains of sleepless nights, in and out of hospital expenses . May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace my lovely daughter Ameen. Mercy C. Majekodunmi.
So touching and inspirational . Gratitude to God.
Thanks for sharing. God will continue to keep us in strength, sound health and mind. AMEN
This is deep bro and I am happy for you. I have a related story like this too but mine was Epilepsy. I went through hell growing up, I am 34years old now but I spent like 14years of my life nursing this sickness, from JSS1 till I finished secondary school, part of the reason why my communication is still not that smooth till now, I was not able to learn properly, but I am grateful to God. That is now my past, at some point I could not step out of my house, I was praying for death at some point self, because it was so embarrassing, loose a lot friends due to the fear them contacting it, what about discrimination and all, Got admission into university, I could not even go to school, I do have this attack twice in a year later change to twice in a 3weeks for years, lost my teeth to this self, this sickness has attack me in different situation and location but I am grateful for where I am now. it is a challenge to build me for todays success, I can say that I am doing well.
This is an amazing testimony by Adekunle Gold. I admire the courage of his family, parents and Simi. I’m sure this testimony has motivated a lot of people battling with their genotype status to not lose hope but keep giving their best in their respective field.
Wow, this is inspirational. A person who went through this much deserves happy at the end. To God be all the glory