Adekunle Gold disclosed that the pain from the sickle cell got so excruciating that he begged God to take his life when he turned 20
By Kehinde Okeowo
Popular Nigerian singer and songwriter, Adekunle Kosoko, better known as Adekunle Gold, has revealed his struggle with sickle cell anaemia.
The 35-year-old singer also disclosed that the pain got so excruciating that he begged God to take his life when he turned 20 years old.
Adekunle Gold said in a bombshell newsletter to fans on Friday, July 15, that the disease, compounded with his parents’ dire financial status, negatively impacted his growing up.
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The newsletter read in part: “I was born with sickle cell disease. It was life and death, it was physical, mental, financial, you name it, and I went through it all.
“It was tough, painful, and frustrating for me. The pains and shivers were unbearable. They (crisis) always came in the night, when my family had no means to transport me to a hospital.”
The ‘Okay’ crooner went on to state that at some point his family couldn’t afford the hospital bills so he had to endure the pain and had to wish for death at some point.
“The most intense crisis 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 because I could not understand what I did to deserve the pain my body and mind were under.
“As usual with sickle crisis 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 was when I realised that I had been given another opportunity to live my dreams and show those that mocked me that sickle cell anemia was never going to end me, that it would never hold me back from my dreams and aspirations.” he added.
Adekunle Gold then revealed that although some symptoms resurface once in a while now that he is fully grown, the disease gave him hope and taught him how to be resilient in life.