Nigerian music star Adekunle Gold has revealed that he was
born with sickle cell anemia.
The singer made this known in his latest newsletter released
to fans on Friday, July 15, 2022.
“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," he wrote.
“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.
The father of one recounted how he was deprived of the fun
parts of childhood because of the illness.
“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," 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."
AG as he is fondly called shared the harrowing nights he had
a crisis and how his poor family could hardly afford to take care of his
hospital bills.
“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," he shared.
“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.
The award-winning singer highlighted the time he begged God
to take his life because of the unbearable pains.
“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.
Adekunle revealed that despite the pains he still undergoes
every now and then, he has mastered the art of resilience.
“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.
On a final note, he penned a message to sickle cell
warriors, advising them to stay strong.
“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," he advised.
“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."
Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko, popularly known as Adekunle Gold
and AG Baby, is a Nigerian highlife singer and songwriter.
He gained prominence after releasing the 2015 hit single
"Sade", a highlife cover of One Direction's "Story of My
Life".
He is married to music star Simi and they have a daughter
together.
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