After several tests and two medical opinions, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
The surgery was difficult, and complications nearly took my life. But by God’s mercy, I survived.
A diagnosis that changed everything
At the time, the treatment I needed wasn’t available in Nigeria, so I travelled to the United Kingdom for radioiodine therapy.
The process was isolating and emotionally draining. I had to live apart from loved ones, avoid children and pregnant women, and navigate recovery almost entirely on my own.
Even after treatment, the impact continued: changes to my voice, strict dietary restrictions, and the emotional strain of rebuilding life after illness.
Healing far from home
The isolation, fear, and uncertainty I experienced deeply affected my mental wellbeing. I learned how overwhelming it can feel to battle something so big in silence, and how powerful compassion and understanding can be when offered at the right time.
Alongside my work as a mental health support worker and childcare provider, these experiences opened my eyes to the urgent need for services that are not only accessible, but also culturally aware, compassionate, and deeply human, especially within the Black community.
Why I created The Mended Foundation
The Mended Foundation was born from my desire to offer the kind of support, empathy, and community I once needed.
A place where people feel seen and understood.
A place where cultural identity is acknowledged, not overlooked.
A place where no one has to deal with their struggles in silence.
My story is just one example of what it means to be broken and rebuilt. Through Mended Foundation, I hope to help others find strength, hope, and a path towards wholeness.
