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Whoever says those having sickle cell disease do not live long should take a look at Tayo Faloye. Even though he has sickle cell disorder, he recently celebrated his 50th birthday at his home in Festac Town, Lagos with family, well-wishers and family. At 50, Tayo not only looks healthy and robust but is bustling with energy.
In a chat with the reporter, the happily married father of several kids opens up on the journey so far and how he continues to defy the much dreaded congenital condition which claims the lives of millions of kids in sub Saharan-Africa and beyond.
“I can only attribute my 50th birthday celebration to God’s mercies even though I have been defiant to the health challenge,” he begins. “However, it’s incorrect that sickle cell warriors don’t live long. It was never medically proven but just a myth. Granted, it remains one of the most lethal blood disorders but its mortality rate has dropped significantly over the years. Before science and technology was this advanced, the concept of genotype wasn’t pronounced. It gave rise to the ‘abiku’ folklore which says babies were born to die as victim’s lives were cut short before adulthood. In the absence of an answer to the phenomenon, they thought it was spiritual and that they were dying to be reincarnated. With advancement in medicine, improved healthcare facilities and professionals among a host of others, life expectancy of SCD warriors are on the increase.”
Faloye says being sickly and asthmatic as a baby led to the diagnosis of sickle cell disorder when he was three years old.
“I was born in a flash and ready to hit the ground running,” he recalls. “My mother had barely gone into labour when I popped out effortlessly and painlessly. And at six to seven months old, I had started running around, ready to take the world by storm only to be slowed down by the diagnosis of sickle cell.
“Nevertheless, childhood was fun in the 70s. It was the era we waited till 4pm to watch TV, played boju-boju, a popular hide-and-seek game among kids of that era, enjoyed interesting cartoons and TV drama series like Village Headmaster and Cock Crow and many others. “However, hearing loss gradually crept in later. I fully came to terms after I was done with Secondary School but it wasn’t profound as it is now and I was a bit above average academically.”
Was there any time he questioned God or even prayed for death? “I can’t remember ever questioning God. It only brought out my ‘beast’ mode. In my bid to defy the disorder and lead a normal life, I did crazy things. Looking back at some of those stuff, I’m still shocked to the marrow how I pulled them off! I used to scale the balcony of our home to attend parties and hang out at Fela’s shrine with peers while mum was asleep. Being streetwise but fragile and diminutive because of stunted growth, I decided to be going to the gym for regular fitness and body building. I also used to play football and island ball (local lawn tennis) with other children in the neighbourhood. The exercises aided good blood flow in my system, boosted my appetite for food, built my bones, aided sound sleep and kept me going. I went for years without any hospitalization except for minor health issues. Death was never an option.”
Any regrets?
“Regrets? I wish my children were much older. I wish I had avoided some past misjudgements and started having children earlier. However, I thank God.”
