The room was unusually serene. Only punctured
by the deep breath of the sleeping child. He lay on his bed; snoring, not
having a clue of the happenings around him. A few metres away in the
adjacent kitchen, the mother wiped a tear of sweat of her face. The steam from
her pot of banga soup did not help matters. But she kept on stirring and
tasting to ensure the salt level did not exceed normal. Though the aroma of the
soup will make any Oliver Twist around beg for more, it did little to sway her
thoughts on how hectic her day had being. A glance at her snoring three
year old child and the images of the last five hours came flooding
again.....
***********
It was just like every other day. The sun rose in its beauty
without any sign of what was in store for her. She rushed through her normal
morning routine: doing the dishes; washing her son's napkins and other dirty
clothes; preparing breakfast; and getting set for a trip to her shop. She was a
seam-stress. Just as she was packing her bag to leave, her child let out a
soft cry. He had a slight fever the night before. But it withered away as
mysteriously as it had started.
"Foskolo", she called out his favourite pet name,
"whats the problem again?". Instead, the child increased the
tempo.
"Nyie, nyie, nyie," he sobbed trying to get his
mum's attention. He did succeed. She immediately left the bag she was
packing and rushed straight to grab him. She was shocked to discover his
temperature was on the rise again. Panic set in. For a few minutes, she was not
sure of what to do. Just then, it occured to her. "I must rush him to
a hospital," she murmured to herself. A Few minutes later, she was on
her way to a nearby general hospital.
On getting there, she called out: "Help, please! My son needs help." Immediately, one of the nurses on duty rushed and grabbed the child from her hands. She took the child straight to the doctor's waiting room. The mother waited. All she could do was bite her finger as she sat down anxiously in the waiting room. Her son was then taken to an emergency room.
"God what is this now? Eh?", she wondered. A
few minutes later as the doctor appeared from the emergency room, she rushed up
to him. "Doctor is he okay? What's wrong with him? Can I see
him?", the questions pouring out all at once.
"Calm down young woman, your baby is fine", the
handsome doctor said reassuringly. " He only has a high fever but he's
been injected and fast asleep. The nurse will bring him out to....."
*************
The sound of the child's cry brought her back from her
memories.
" Foskolo, nyase", she called out in her Isoko
dialect. " Come and meet me in the kitchen". He stopped the sob
and tried to come down from the bed. But, his legs ached. He felt a sharp pain
in his waist. His feet went numb. Much as he tried to lift his legs, he just
couldn't.
The mother was watching. Thinking it was one of his usual
antics, she yelled at him in broken english
"You no go waka come here? I take God beg you i no get
power for shout!"
Her rant did little to ease his seeming discomfort. As he
tried to lift his feet, he went thundering on the floor. He stood up and tried
again. And once again, he fell. Only this time, he made no effort to stand
again. Sensing danger, she left her pot of banga soup and rushed to
him. Out of fear more than anything, she carried him on her back and
rushed back to the hospital. Unfortunately, there was little the doctors could
do. It was the last day the boy would ever walk with his feet again....
PS--- It's exactly 29 years this August since this incident.
Truth is, I can't really remember it happening. The pictures am trying to bring
to life are patches from stories I have heard over and over again from my
mother. But, the that little boy whose feet went numb is now a man. In fact,
the cute guy showing on this blog. He's grown up to become a successful writer
and journalist. So what is that thing keeping you from fulfilling your dream?
What's that problem that keeps you awake at night? Trust me, there isn't anything as bad
as you think. You can make it AGAINST ALL ODDS.
30 comments:
Sorry peeps who couldn't post comments earlier...problem fixed now, Thanks
Oh my God! Am so inspired and....
*deep breathe* am indeed glad knowing you.
Wao! From your voice, nobody can think of you having any sort of incapacitation. You are an inspiration to many. i love you more now. You are better empowered than able people. I feel humbled whenever you crack the joke of "playing Monkey Post" when you were younger. God bless the wife you shall marry and the children you shall bear.
God will surely lift you up. the skyis your starting point
Inspiring! God keep you, and take you to higher places...and thank God for your mum...God bless her!
Great one sir.. The first day i saw u i stared almost rudely cos i wondered how.. Your story is truly amazing..
I know i had a brief of the story once on radio. Ufuoma, you are an inspiration to many, not only to the physical challenged, but also to the able men and women.... These story of yours must be shared to inspire men and women all around the world.
God bless you.
Hmmm... my man ... my strong man
Waoo.what a big push!!! God bless u more sir.
I feel like crying..is such a touching story,i like ur analysis on radio as a sports journalist but i never know this part of u..thanks for sharing this it's inspiring
God bless you bro... I just think you're amazing
Glory 2 God its when u stop trying that's when u have failed am inspired by it.
Indeed, one can overcome all odds by going on to achieving ones dreams. Here before us is a living testimony. Glory to God.
Now I know.
Such an inspiration.. Of a truth.. There's ability in disability
Foskolo you are blessed beyond measure an art of inspiration you are at all time there is magic in your words and life God as made you for a great purpose and you are living the dream bro keep shining
hmmm Dr Foskolo, as we used to call. You are a rare gem, God has used to touch plenty lives. Thought u would study medicine to help other children avert such problems but God knows it all. Even in ur profession now, u can still do it well. make ur voice heard, send out messages and information to nooks and cranny of interior villages. Keep touching lives as God keep blessing you.
My brother its well with you,GOD WIL Continue to lift u up,in all u day,thanks am realy inspired by ur story.GODBLESS YOU
So so touching... More power to your elbows
So so touching... More power to your elbows
The first time I saw your pic on facebook, I was wondering like how, when? Now I understand.
Bro, you are a shining example sheer determination, an inspiration to many (myself inclusive).
May keep and continue to bless and use you to inspire more persons in our time.
Foskolo, live stops making sense when we allow past scenes affect our actions and reactions to future expectations. You are a survivor
#Achiever
Wanted to ask you in SOK lounge,but lack the confidence.l believe everything in life has a purpose.bros,I can't stop taking Ur courage to raise again,Ur a god to many,and a living legend to many soul.
I don't remember meeting you in person but your vibrancy represented by words in media platforms bears witness to your will to excel against all odds. Greatness won't elude you
The minute Rooney scored that goal, I said to my my girlfriend "stand uup let's go"
I forever cherish the courage behind this man.
He's married with a bouncing baby boy.
I've followed you up on air while in Port Harcourt in any broadcasting station.
Read about you earlier before now, you inspired me still hoping to be more courageous even among odds.
Seems Banga soup is your favorite.
Wow, thank you Ufeee
Wow! So touching and inspiring. I celebrate you. Thanks for sharing.
Good one Ufuoma. The worst fears has been surmounted.
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