For almost 20 years running, the dreams of a budding Nigerian actor, Chukwuma Kabarachi Chigaemezu, have been put on hold after he suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident on August 28, 2001 in Lagos, Nigeria.
At 42 then, Chukwuma Chigaemezu, who adopted Chukwuma Ugwumba, as his cast name in the movies, was a bubbly man of many ambitions. Aside from being an actor and writer, he had his eyes fixed on a thriving music career. In fact, he had booked a studio session to record his songs to jumpstart his music career on the week the accident occurred.
He was billed between ₦3.5m and ₦3.8m for surgery at a hospital in Lagos some years back but he couldn’t afford it. Consequently, his family moved him to his village where he would be close to them for proper care.
Since then, the father of one has been exposed to a flipside of life steeped in pain, loneliness and despair. Unable to move due to paralysis in both upper and lower limbs, Chukwuma has since been confined to a bed in a small room in his father’s house.
On August 28, 2021 it will be exactly 20 years since he had that unfortunate accident that left him incapacitated. He is, however, grateful to God that he is still alive and wants his family members to take him to the church on that date for thanksgiving.
Though Chukwuma has been receiving ancillary treatment at Trinity Medical Centre, his doctor, Dr A. N. Oyekwena has referred him to a tertiary medical facility for the required surgery and treatment.
He now needs funds to pay for the surgery and other medical expenses.
Below is Chukwuma’s letter of appeal, telling his story of pain, loneliness, dejection, frustration, aborted dreams, and hope:
My name is Chukwuma Kabarachi Chigaemezu, also known as Chukwuma Ugwumba from Obinato-Dimagu, Isiekenesi in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. I had an accident in Lagos on 28th August, 2001 that resulted in spinal cord injury. I was rushed to a private hospital for medical attention. Unfortunately, the hospital had neither the required medical personnel nor the equipment to take care of my medical needs. After five months, I was moved away from the hospital as my health condition got worse with nine bedsores two of which required plastic surgery.
This unfortunate accident happened the very week I was to have a studio session to record my songs and shoot my musical video to jumpstart my music career. Sadly, that dream was truncated. It’s almost 20 years since I had the accident and I am still on a sickbed with bedsores around my waist and a fracture a little above my left ankle. It is still on these bedsores I lie down after they are dressed every day. The pain I go through is indescribable, and the mental torture is better imagined than experienced. I now depend on pain relieving drugs every day to reduce the pain.
Indeed, I have seen the bad, ugly and the beautiful sides of life. For many years I have been confined to a room in my father’s compound and this is where I was when I lost him and my step-mother who were supposed to enjoy their old age under my watch and care, having earlier lost my dear mother and my sister. Now I have found myself at a lonely and secluded part of life where loneliness, feeling of abandonment and betrayal have become my day-to-day companion.
There were times I wished I had died, especially when I consider the fact that I’ve spent half of my sojourn here on earth on a sickbed going through excruciating pain. When I look at the face of my younger brother who has borne the brunt of taking care of me all these years, and I remember the young lady that left her people in Ondo State for a marriage of two years and eight months and our son of about two years and six months, I weep like a baby for becoming an unexpected burden to them.
My family members often weep uncontrollably each time they come to visit me because of my pitiable condition. All these have strengthened my resolve to seek help so that if by this I’m able to regain my health and stay for a while before going the way of all mortals, I believe they will be consoled and God will take all the glory.
I am now seeking financial assistance to enable me go for a thorough medical treatment in a specialized tertiary medical institution, so that if I cannot stand again, I can, at least, sit comfortably in a wheelchair.
For me to have lived till this day is an indication that God has not forgotten me. I sincerely thank my relations, friends, and all those who do not know me but have supported me financially and otherwise. I pray that God will enlarge your coast as you continue to do the good things you are doing for humanity thereby laying treasures for yourself in the presence of God from whom you will draw at the end of the age.
Everything I said here is verifiable. My phone number is 08064744716 and the account details for any donation is Ikechukwu Emeghiebo, 3035627668, First Bank.
Thank you and May God bless you all.
How You Can Help Chukwuma
You can help by making a donation to help pay for his surgery and purchase of the required specialist equipment to make his remaining life on earth a lot easier. A GoFundMe account has been opened to support him.
Please follow the link below to make a donation through GoFundMe:
https://gofund.me/787bfbba
You can also send your support to his brother’s account with the following details: Ikechukwu Emeghiebo: First Bank Nigeria, 3035627668
We are counting on the support of everyone who comes across this story to please do their best to support the surgery and treatment of Chukwuma. Thanking you in anticipation of your generous donation.
