“I Begged God To Take My Life” Adekunle Gold Details Battle With Sickle Cell

Adekunle Gold has detailed his fight against sickle cell anemia.

In an intimate letter to fans, the singer revealed what it was like growing up with sickle cell anemia, the pain and limitations he had to live with.

He wrote: “It feels liberating to finally be able to share this part of my life with you, to finally speak my truth. When I talk about how I struggled to get to where I am today, I want you to know that my struggle was real. I was born with sickle cell disease. It was life and death, it was physical, mental, financial, you name it and I’ve been through it all. It was hard, painful and frustrating. I lived with a disease that no one around me understood, I lived my whole childhood with limitations.

“I was unable to participate in some of the smallest children’s games and liberating activities, such as going outside in the rain. The times I insisted and rebelled against my parents’ orders and went out in the rain, I had a crisis. The nights were painful and lonely, nights no one could help me through. It was just me, God and my spirit. The pains and shivers were unbearable.

“They always came at night, when my family didn’t have the means to transport me to a hospital. We just couldn’t afford the constant hospital bills, so I had no choice but to put up with the pain.

“My mother wanted me to be okay, she did her best. She took me to all the churches she could find, I am grateful to her because she saw a future for me.

“A future where no illness or disease could keep me from my goal. From life I was destined to live.

“Sickle cell disease took away my freedom, my youth. I lost friends, a lot of them. Some didn’t understand the restrictions and rules I had to follow, some just didn’t want to deal with my disease or thought it was a nasty or contagious disease they could get. I was a burden to some. Living with sickle cell is far from living a normal life.

“One of the most intense crises I had was when I was 20, I remember lying in my bed in the middle of the night asking for it to end. I begged God to take my life away because I couldn’t understand what I was doing to deserve the pain my body and mind had. As usual with a sickle crisis after a few days, the pain subsided and God asked me; “That ending you begged for, do you still want it?” Of course I said no and then everything changed for me. Then I realized that I had been given another chance to live my dreams and to show those who mock me that sickle cell anemia would never end me, that it would never stop me from pursuing my dreams and aspirations.

“My body gives out every now and then and some of the symptoms come back, but what this disease has taught me is resilience. Sickle cell anemia gave me hope, made me tough, gave me the discipline I needed to be who I am today, and built my character I mean I’ve been through 5 weeks of back-to-back gigs and haven’t gotten sick Elegance.

“My body and mind have been challenged and I am stronger, more determined and ready to take on the world. I’m ready for Adekunle Gold Supremacy, I’m ready to live and enjoy the 5 star life I deserve, what my body has toiled for.

“I share my testimony with you because I hope you can find strength in my truth. Some ills hold us back, but I am thankful that this is not the case. I want to encourage you in whatever you are going through, know there is hope. You are strong and you cannot give up. YOU CAN DO THIS!

“Victory lies at the end for you, as it is for me.

“If you know someone who is going through a struggle, physically, healthy or mentally. Be kind and show compassion. Basically be nice to everyone, you just never know what they are dealing with in private. Be supportive, be gentle, and love endlessly.

“If you’re a sickle, know that the disease doesn’t define you. Don’t let it limit your dreams or limit your potential. Spread your wings and dream big! I hope to see you floating in the big skies.

“All my Love.”