By Adegboyega Adeleye
A former National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Eniola, has made an emotional appeal for help after a road accident while returning from orientation camp left her paralysed nearly five years ago.
Eniola shared her story in a viral TikTok video posted by a close friend, recounting how the 2021 accident changed her life after she was asked to leave the NYSC orientation camp in Akwa Ibom State due to illness.
“In 2021, I had an accident when I was coming back from NYSC camp. I was supposed to go to Akwa Ibom State and I got sick after like two weeks in camp, so they asked me to go home. On my way back, I had an accident and I was the only survivor. The accident affected my spinal cord and since then, I’ve been like this,” she said.
According to her, the spinal cord injury left her unable to move or feel any part of her body from below the chest.
“I can’t move my legs. I can’t walk. It’s going to be five years by December. I lost sensation from below my breast downward. I can’t feel my body at all. I’ve also been battling bedsores,” she said.
Eniola also revealed that her search for treatment has been filled with disappointment, alleging that some people who claimed they could treat spinal cord injuries ended up exploiting her situation.
“Over the years, I’ve seen so many doctors and quacks, and a lot of them have even scammed me. Some of them that don’t even know anything about spinal cord injuries would make promises they couldn’t fulfil. Eventually, one of my toes was amputated and since then my leg experiences sensations like electric shocks,” she said.
Despite the physical and emotional challenges, the former corps member said she remains grateful to have survived the crash, describing it as a second chance at life.
“I’m grateful. I’m really grateful honestly because that’s like a second chance for me and I know things will get better for me,” she said.
Appealing to Nigerians for financial support towards her treatment and rehabilitation, Eniola said her greatest wish is to regain the ability to walk.
“This is me begging for help. I need people to support me and donate towards my treatment. I really want to get better. I believe I’m going to walk again. I believe God will make it happen. Please help in any way you can.
“If I can walk again, that would be a dream come true. I’ll be so happy. I’ll be grateful to God and to Nigerians. I’ll be grateful to everyone who helped me. I don’t even mind walking slowly. I just want to walk.
