Balikis Salami, a 24-year-old survivor of sickle cell disease who tragically lost her right arm and her younger brother to complications related to the condition, candidly shares her challenging journey with Envision News.
Surviving sickle cell has been an arduous path for Balikis, marked by excruciating pain and numerous setbacks. The struggles began at the tender age of five when she frequently complained of pains in various parts of her body. Regular hospital visits were a constant in her upbringing. During her secondary school years, Balikis experienced crises so severe that she found herself praying for death. Extended periods of crisis meant she couldn’t eat or sleep for weeks at a time, adversely affecting her health and education.
The toll on Balikis’s memory became evident, hindering her ability to recall things, a consequence of her ongoing battle with sickle cell. Despite her determination, she had to drop out of school twice due to the complications.
After completing secondary school, Balikis pursued further education in nursing in Benin Republic. However, her health deteriorated, leading to an unexpected return to Nigeria and subsequent admission to Olabisi Olabanjo University Teaching Hospital. The discovery of an unusual swelling in her right knee eventually led to her first surgery in 2018. Unable to resume her studies in Benin Republic, Balikis faced another educational setback.
She later enrolled at Ogun State College of Health Technology, Ilese-Ijebu, to study Environmental Health Technology. However, after completing the first year, an incident during a three-month industrial training program in 2021 changed the course of her life. Exposure to excessive breeze triggered a series of health issues, culminating in a mysterious dream and subsequent severe skin reactions. Despite efforts to address the situation, the condition worsened, leading to the unfortunate decision to amputate her right hand below the elbow.
The financial strain on Balikis and her mother was immense. They had sold valuable assets, including a car and land, to fund her treatments. The initial amputation and subsequent complications drained their resources, hindering Balikis’s dream of studying abroad. However, a compassionate individual she met on Instagram sponsored her second amputation with a generous contribution of N300,000.
Balikis’s resilience and determination were tested further when, after the second amputation, she was declared dead by the doctors. Miraculously, she defied the odds and was revived, yet her financial resources were depleted. Despite facing isolation and rejection from friends who distanced themselves from her, Balikis continues to seek support for her mother’s frozen food business and to fulfill her dream of studying abroad. The challenges she faces underscore the urgent need for assistance to rebuild their lives and pursue their aspirations.
