She is a Warrior, Lawyer and an amazing Mum.

Barrister Enwerem Uju tells her story “My drive in raising awareness for sickle cell disorder is born out of my personal experience. It’s been a very hard battle for me from having people not believing in me. People don’t understand the pain I endure, Sickle cell Disorder comes with a lot of physical, emotional, psychological pains.

As much as its difficult living with sickle cell disorder, I try not let it define me or get in the way of my life, I try my best to enjoy my life and appreciate the love I get from my Parents, Siblings, Aunties, Uncles, Cousins, entire Family and very few friends. Despite all the pains, traumas, hospital admissions, complications, surgeries and even insults from some people, I’m still here living my life.

At some point everything seemed so impossible, I lost some good opportunities, job opportunities. I lost some good relationship with some good men too, received very annoying insults like
“dis ones parents are wasting their money”,
“dis one can neva bear a child, where the strength and blood wey she wan use kwanu”

All because of SCD, then came the complications and series of surgeries in India, loss of my job with the bank I was working with after I came home, I still braced up, dusted myself, and had a deep thought plus medical advise and I decided that i want a child.

It was a miracle when I got pregnant because my doctors were of the opinion that I can’t get pregnant considering my routine drugs causes infertility, everyone was a bit scared for me but GRACE showed up for me, I had the most stress-FREE pregnancy till I gave birth to my daughter.

I called her Chisimdiri Joanna (God kept ,keep alive, God’s mercy)Ladies and gentlemen meet baby Simdi

Joanna James-Enwerem, she’s just 4 months old, she means everything to me, looking at her and knowing she’s mine is just everything, She lights up my heart and brings me so much happiness and joy.

I call her mummy’s friend #enyinneya. Being a sickle cell warrior never stopped me from chasing my dreams, I’m a lawyer today and by the grace of God this awareness campaign for SCD is aimed at birthing a sickle cell foundation someday.

I am sharing this story to inspire and encourage other SCD warriors and their parents not to give up, they can still achieve whatever it is they dream of. I’m living my life for God now, will also be turning 37 dis November and the good news is – I’m still here.

It has always been God’s grace and mercy and I owe my life to him”.

About The Author

Audrey Mukoro

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