By TEMITOPE ADETUNJI
In an extraordinary tale of resilience and fortitude, businesswoman Yetunde Ikotun Ojo recounts the life-altering accident that left her an amputee just two days after her 23rd birthday. Her story is a powerful reminder that with determination, support, and faith, one can overcome even the most daunting challenges.
From Celebration to Catastrophe
Yetunde Ikotun Ojo, now 49, was planning a modest celebration for her 23rd birthday in 1998. Little did she know that her life was about to change forever. On September 17, 1998, after finalizing cake arrangements for her party, she hurried home. Tragically, a pickup truck, which had lost control, struck her as she stood waiting to cross the street.
“I was very conscious. The only thing on my mind was, ‘Won tikan mi l’ese’ (They’ve broken my leg),” Yetunde recalls. Despite the pain and chaos, she remained remarkably composed, providing her name and address to bystanders who helped lift the car off her and rushed her to UCH Ibadan.
A New Reality
Yetunde’s calm exterior belied the severity of her injuries. Doctors had to amputate her leg to save her life. Remarkably, Yetunde’s resilience shone through even in the face of this devastating news. “The next thing I remember was thinking, ‘Okay, this is a new life. How am I going to live this new life?’”
Strength in Adversity
Yetunde spent three months in the hospital, but her emotional strength never wavered. “Nobody could body-shame me because I was prepared. I don’t know where that emotional strength came from, but I was completely prepared for every bit of this,” she says. Her unwavering positivity and determination inspired those around her, including fellow patients in the ward.
A New Beginning
After her recovery, Yetunde resumed her life with remarkable resilience. She met her husband at church, and despite societal and familial challenges, they married and have since raised two sons together. Yetunde’s journey didn’t end there; she transitioned from teaching to running successful businesses and working with an amputee organization to support others in similar situations.
Living with Purpose
Despite the physical and emotional challenges, Yetunde’s outlook on life remains profoundly positive. She sees her accident as a divine turning point that allowed her to discover her true purpose. “What God gave me was a new lease on life. The life I’m living now is completely different. I don’t know what might have happened if I hadn’t had the accident, but the life I’m living now, I don’t regret,” she reflects.
Encouraging Others
Yetunde uses her experience to inspire and support others living with disabilities. “People living with a disability should develop self-confidence and believe in themselves. I believe everyone has a purpose in life, and how we end up fulfilling it is different,” she says.
Gratitude and Grace
Through all the trials, Yetunde remains deeply grateful. “I’m grateful to God for life because what God gave me was a new lease on life. Despite being an amputee, I still go through the normal phases that other people go through, and it’s more difficult. But I’m grateful to God for so many things, the ability to cope mentally and financially.”
Yetunde Ikotun Ojo’s story is a testament to the incredible strength of the human spirit. Her journey from tragedy to triumph serves as an inspiration, reminding us all that with faith, determination, and a positive outlook, we can overcome even the most challenging circumstances.
