A 27-year-old Nigerian woman, identified as Zainab, has shared a heartbreaking and emotional account of her life living with sickle cell disease, urging couples with AS genotypes to reconsider marriage decisions that could put future children at risk.
Zainab, who is SS, revealed that both her parents are AS and were fully aware of their genotypes before getting married. According to her, they believed that faith and love would be enough to overcome the medical risks—a choice that ultimately shaped her life of pain and repeated health struggles.
“I Was Diagnosed Before Age Two”
Zainab disclosed that she was diagnosed with sickle cell disease before she turned two, noting that her childhood memories were filled with hospitals, injections, and whispered conversations rather than playgrounds and cartoons.
Frequent health crises caused her to miss school regularly, leading to isolation, stigma, and misunderstanding from both teachers and classmates. Some accused her of pretending, while others believed she was cursed.
As she grew older, the pain episodes intensified, constantly disrupting her education and daily life.
“I watched my mates grow normally while my life moved in pauses — school, hospital, recovery, repeat.”
Losing a Sibling to Sickle Cell
At the age of 15, Zainab lost her younger brother, who was also SS, to sickle cell complications—a moment she described as life-altering.
She recalled how her parents broke down, apologizing and admitting they had relied on faith without fully considering the consequences.
“They said God approved it. They said love would be enough. I am the consequence.”
Living With Pain, Advocacy, and Silent Tears
Despite her condition, Zainab said she tried to live a normal life, joining sickle cell advocacy groups, volunteering with awareness organizations, and encouraging couples to test their genotypes before marriage.
While many describe her as strong and courageous, she admitted that people rarely see the emotional toll—crying alone after pain episodes, or the fear of planning a future in a body that doesn’t always cooperate.
Heartbreak and Relationships
Zainab also opened up about her struggles with relationships, revealing that many partners leave once conversations about marriage and children arise.
She recounted how one heartbreak triggered one of her worst adult sickle cell crises—not due to physical stress, but emotional collapse.
“Hope collapsed.”
A Strong Message to AS Couples
Now older and more exhausted, Zainab says her pain episodes have changed—less dramatic, but more draining. She urged couples with incompatible genotypes to think beyond emotions and religious assurances.
“Faith is not a license to ignore knowledge. I am proof of that.”
She stressed that sickle cell disease is real, avoidable, and devastating, saying she never asked to be a lesson—but hopes her story can prevent another child from being born into unnecessary pain.
“If my life can save one child, then my voice matters.”
The emotional post has since sparked widespread reactions online, with many praising her courage and calling for increased genotype awareness before marriage.
See the full post and reactions below…
Related: AFRIMA 2026: Full List of Winners as Nigerian Artists Shine in Lagos
