Mum of Autistic Child Pens Story to Encourage Families of Children With Special Needs
Reflecting on her journey as a mum of a child with special needs and with a word of advice to families in her shoes, Opeyemi Ogungbemi-Ebagua narrated how devastated she was to learn that her son, Justin was autistic.
In her Facebook post, the Nigerian mom, who has two other children, penned a heartfelt thanksgiving note to God, her friends and family members to celebrate her son as he turns 10.
See what she wrote below…
”I’m grateful to my father for the golden opportunity to witness 10 years of God’s goodness in my son’s life. I will start by saying having Justin is the greatest achievement. I can remember exactly 10 years ago. Waiting patiently for this my superstar child. It wasn’t an easy one.
It took 24 hours of labour before Dr. Iketubosun of Georges Memorial Hospital decided to cut me open when I wasn’t dilating. I remember the fear on Williams’ face. Don’t blame him it was his first having a baby. Finally, this baby came out and I couldn’t believe my eyes.
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He was the cutest thing I have ever seen in my 25 years. I’m grateful for this gift. Fast forward to his 1st birthday, we had a carnival. I remember having my friends from all over to grace the event. We had mega fun.. lol. Then when at 15th month, I started noticing this handsome dude isn’t blabbing, my mum told me don’t worry Ope boys are not fast.
I remember 1 morning driving to work with my friend and sister Ene Isa. I told her about my fears of my son not blabbing or talking. She then adviced I talk to her sister in-law Dr Zilia. I made the call and she educated me about something I haven’t heard about in my life. AUTISM!!
Now Justin is 2 years he wasnt talking and he was always very aggressive. He attended a Mrs Adesoye’s creche then at VGC (Babies to toddler creche). Dr Zilia gave me Dr Grace Bamigboye’s number. She is a speech pathologist. I remember getting an appointment for evaluation and then my world became dark when Dr Grace broke the news to myself and My husband that Justin might be under the spectrum of Autism.
I asked what is THAT? I burst into tears. After she explained. I went online and read about different cases, watched videos on YouTube. It was like my world is coming to an End. And that was how we started the Journey. It was challenging both mentally and financially.
I remember my sister in-law, Mrs Laide Abel giving me her expensive jewelry worth hundreds of thousand then to sell to pay for few sessions of therapy. I’m entirely grateful to my angel Antie Laide (tears of joy).
READ ALSO: See What Helped A 9-Year-Old With Autism Learn To Speak
She always encouraged me and told me God has plans for Justin. God is the only one that repay you for all. We cried together. I really don’t know how to express how i feel about you. Thank you! During this journey I met some wonderful angels in human skin.
I remember owing Dr Grace Bamigboye several months but she didn’t 1 day stop or embarrass me for payments God bless you! God kept around me wonderful people around me that encouragement in this journey. My boy Justin’s therapists are the best.
A lady Smart Base centre ( can’t remember her) she was the 1st therapist to work with Justin. Tope got few words out of him. He was the 2nd therapist that worked with him. and then my brother Freedom. Freedom gave me encouragement at all levels. He took Justin as his brother.God bless you Freedom and your family. Talking about therapy. Dr Grace left instructions of diet and daily supplements for him.
He had to take Candigest capsules ( could only get this from a lady called Sandra in cooperative and from jand) 2 hours before breakfast and also other tabs like probiotics, omega 7, oestrocare syrup and many more.
He was on no diary and wheat diet. I had to get rice based milk and pasta from Mrs Mosun owner of Nutri centre in Lekki she is so pleasant. My son was asked take seasonings out of his diet like maggie, knorr etc We had to resolve to crayfish.
He refused to eat and grew very lean. I remember days of changing schools. I get calls like ‘please come pick your child’ regularly. But God honoured me with beautiful people. Here I am today June 2nd 2018 celebrating the special child God gave me.
Now he is my best friend, always ready to help. My amplifier. He will echo whatever I say. My boy has improved and he is improving. In all this God has been so good to us. Our all sufficient Father that answers our prayers by fire.
I bless God for protection despite Justin being stigmatized, preventing a near death situation years back in church when my boy jumped into a pool and God kept a white man there swimming at 9am on sunday morning. Its been a journey.
I am writing this to encourage whoever is going through this that God will never forsake u and your child. Keep at doing your best for your child. I waited 5 years before Justin could call me Mummy. It was the sweetest word ever! I followed my God’s giving instinct at every decision I made.
And lastly early intervention is key to defeating Autism. I didn’t stop Justin’s therapy and today I’m happy I stood by my decision to fight it to the end. This write up will be incomplete without mentioning the love, support, understanding and prayer of his siblings (Olivia and Jason).
READ ALSO: Man Living With Cerebral Palsy, Joshua Sopeju, Beats The Odds to Become Computer Science Graduate
I have got so much love for you guys. And to his Daddy thank you.. thumbs up to US! Its a journey like i said earlier and i see the future so bright for my Justin Osagie Oreoluwa Ebagua. Let me pause at this point… Journey of a special need Mother. Opeyemi (Opido) Ebagua.”
Very encouraging.