Undergraduate needs N6m to undergo surgery, fulfill academic dream

The memories of nine years ago will never be forgotten for Ericson Chinonso Judith, 22, whose academic pursuit was abruptly cut short, despite her difficulties in securing admission into a tertiary institution.

Chinonso, a 300-level student of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), on the fateful day, while on her way back from Port Harcourt to Lagos, was involved in a ghastly car crash at Sagamu, Ogun State, that almost ended her life. The accident left her two legs, left hand, and neck in severe condition, and was almost bedridden, as her spinal cord was also affected.

Chinonso was rushed to the hospital while in coma, only for her to wake up seeing herself in a paralysed state. She has since then stopped her education as her condition keeps deteriorating daily.

She has had several surgeries performed on her legs to enable her walk again and has recently been scheduled for a final surgery by a specialist in Florida, United States of America. She is, therefore, soliciting for financial support to enable her carry out the last surgery and return to school to fulfill her academic dream.

Reeling in pains as she narrated her ordeal to The Guardian, she said: “I can’t walk despite undergoing two surgeries and the last one cannot be performed in Nigeria, it would be done abroad and I don’t have money to fund it. When contacted, the doctor in Florida said the cost of the surgery is $20,000 (N6.3 million), which should be done immediately so as not to result into amputation.”

Chinonso is appealing to well-meaning Nigerians, corporate bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the government to assist her and restore her hope of completing her university degree. Donations can be sent to GTBank: Ericson Chinonso Judith, 0137719366