Kawan Aondofa-Anjira, (MRS, FIMC, CLIM)

I have been married to my husband, Aondofa, for 23 years. Together, we are blessed with four beautiful children—two boys and two girls. Yet along with life’s blessings came unimaginable challenges: two of our children, Sedoo and Aondofa Jr., were born with cerebral palsy. Their arrival turned our world upside down and reshaped everything we thought we knew about hope, love, and faith.

The Arrival of Sedoo: From Joy to Fear

When I was expecting Sedoo, our second child, my heart was full of joy and anticipation. I envisioned days filled with laughter, milestones, and the simple happiness of motherhood. But the moment she was born, my joy gave way to fear. Sedoo struggled to breathe, her tiny body restless, her eyes flickering uncontrollably, and her skin bore unusual pigmentation. She cried through the nights without rest.

Though my husband, who was with me in the labor room, saw nothing alarming, my mother’s intuition screamed otherwise. Sedoo’s wobbling eyes and disconnection from her surroundings were signs I could not ignore.

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The Long Search for Answers

Our first visits to doctors gave us little relief. A neonatologist prescribed medication for her breathing, but nothing improved. We moved from one hospital to another, searching desperately for answers. At two months, Sedoo was not tracking objects, and I feared she might be blind.

An ophthalmologist diagnosed her with ocular albinism and offered hope that glasses might help. But even with treatment, her condition did not improve. Determined, we sought a second opinion at the National Hospital in Abuja.

The Diagnosis That Shattered Our World

At the National Hospital, sixteen doctors examined her before referring us to a pediatric neurologist. It was there that we received the devastating news:

“Your daughter has brain damage. If she lives, she will never roll over, sit, feed herself, stand, or walk. She may never be independent or able to contribute to society.”

The words broke me. My faith wavered. I prayed for a miracle, begged God to heal her, and even asked Him to take me instead. The grief was suffocating.

Finding Strength in Darkness

What kept me from sinking completely was my husband’s unwavering love for Sedoo. His tenderness gave me courage, and I prayed, “God, help me love her too.” At first, all I saw were her limitations, but in time I began to see the beautiful little girl behind the pain.

I immersed myself in the Psalms, their raw honesty mirroring my own cries of doubt and hope. Slowly, healing began—not in Sedoo’s body, but in my heart. Sedoo loved to be held, and her sweet smiles and quiet joy became beams of light in our darkness.

The Arrival of Aondofa: Hope Shattered Again

During my pregnancy with Aondofa, we went through countless tests, each result reassuring us he was fine. But when he was born, I broke down in tears. His resemblance to Sedoo—his skin, his restless eyes—was undeniable. My heart sank with fear.

Soon, our fears were confirmed. Like his sister, Aondofa was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Once again, we faced the overwhelming challenges of raising a child with special needs—this time, two.

Embracing Life’s Gifts

Despite her limitations, Sedoo radiated joy. She smiled often, laughed when tickled, and loved the gentle breeze on her face. Aondofa, too, had his own unique light. Though our sorrow deepened, these small moments of joy reminded us that love transcends hardship.

A Legacy of Love

Sedoo’s life was brief—just 22 months—but her impact was eternal. She taught us what it means to love unconditionally and to hold on to hope even when the future is uncertain. Though God did not heal her body, her life and passing reshaped our journey forever.

From grief, we found strength. From pain, we discovered purpose. From loss, we gave birth to SECHILD—a home of hope for children with cerebral palsy and their families.

This is our story: one of love tested, faith refined, and hope reborn.