Still on the depression topic. Here's another story from the depression support group. It's entirely fictional and bears no resemblance to any living or dead person.
"Hello everyone" said Dr Abraham, the founder of the support group. "I thank you all for sharing your stories tonight. I am amazed at how we have grown since this group began. We have learnt each other and we have made friends over the years with one another." He added.
"Our friendship and support has helped us to be compliant with our drugs and to live healthy. I will encourage you to continue in that spirit." "However, in this same group, we have a friend here who has not found a place among us yet. Today, it has to stop. That's why I am calling on you, Mr. Seun Oke, to come out and share your story with us. Let's all give him a round of applause as he talks to us" said the Doctor.
Seun got up reluctantly. Oooh! What is this one now. Why would this man put me in such a tight spot, he wondered. I didn't even want to join this group in the first place. All these people will be talking about themselves and be feeling as if they have experienced terrible situations. Are they not the ones responsible for their own misfortune? Shiiiooorrr! They should come and ask me. They don't know anything.
Why am I even here. I'm not depressed. I am just sad and angry. And I just want to be left alone. He wished he could tell the doctor to mind his own business but he couldn't. Dr Abraham was just too nice. In fact he was his best friend in this whole planet. And it's only because of this reason that he would speak today.
" My name is Seun. I am 23 years old. I joined this group two years ago and I am not depressed. I am only here because all my life I have only known pain. It's has been my companion since forever and It's the only thing I know that can never forsake me.
"I am the first child of my parents. I have two other siblings. I am a sickle cell disease patient. It was diagnosed when I was only six months old. Apparently, my parents did not consider genotype when getting married. Who does that?! In this age and time. They just gave birth to me so that I can be suffering abi. I have never known what being healthy really means. I am always in and out of the hospital.
"Why me for God's sake? Why does it have to be me? Why do I have to suffer so much? There were times I have asked for death during my crises. As a child, I suffered Avascular Necrosis of the head of femur which means I have problems with my hip joint. The head of my left thigh bone is dead. It needs to be replaced but since my parents cannot afford the surgery, I can barely walk. You can all see that I use crutches to aid my movement.
"Hello everyone" said Dr Abraham, the founder of the support group. "I thank you all for sharing your stories tonight. I am amazed at how we have grown since this group began. We have learnt each other and we have made friends over the years with one another." He added.
"Our friendship and support has helped us to be compliant with our drugs and to live healthy. I will encourage you to continue in that spirit." "However, in this same group, we have a friend here who has not found a place among us yet. Today, it has to stop. That's why I am calling on you, Mr. Seun Oke, to come out and share your story with us. Let's all give him a round of applause as he talks to us" said the Doctor.
Seun got up reluctantly. Oooh! What is this one now. Why would this man put me in such a tight spot, he wondered. I didn't even want to join this group in the first place. All these people will be talking about themselves and be feeling as if they have experienced terrible situations. Are they not the ones responsible for their own misfortune? Shiiiooorrr! They should come and ask me. They don't know anything.
Why am I even here. I'm not depressed. I am just sad and angry. And I just want to be left alone. He wished he could tell the doctor to mind his own business but he couldn't. Dr Abraham was just too nice. In fact he was his best friend in this whole planet. And it's only because of this reason that he would speak today.
" My name is Seun. I am 23 years old. I joined this group two years ago and I am not depressed. I am only here because all my life I have only known pain. It's has been my companion since forever and It's the only thing I know that can never forsake me.
"I am the first child of my parents. I have two other siblings. I am a sickle cell disease patient. It was diagnosed when I was only six months old. Apparently, my parents did not consider genotype when getting married. Who does that?! In this age and time. They just gave birth to me so that I can be suffering abi. I have never known what being healthy really means. I am always in and out of the hospital.
"Why me for God's sake? Why does it have to be me? Why do I have to suffer so much? There were times I have asked for death during my crises. As a child, I suffered Avascular Necrosis of the head of femur which means I have problems with my hip joint. The head of my left thigh bone is dead. It needs to be replaced but since my parents cannot afford the surgery, I can barely walk. You can all see that I use crutches to aid my movement.
"In the past few years, I have had multiple blood transfusions along with some terrible side effects. I don't go to school regularly because of the illness and I have repeated almost every class. I only just finished secondary school this year. I am not looking forward to going to the university because I can not study the course I love. I was told to choose a less stressful course. Imagine!!!
"Two months ago, on my way home from here, I suffered a stroke. How does that happen in someone my age? All because I am a sickler. I nearly died. I actually wish I had. At least I would rest from all these pains. I have no friend because no one wants to be with me. And since no one wants to be with me, I don't want to be with anyone either. I just want to be left alone. A lot of people say that I am withdrawn. Why won't I be? If they were in my shoes, they wouldn't do any better. There's nothing in my life worth celebrating and I don't see it getting any better.
"That's my story. I hope I can have my seat now".
One could hear a pin drop in the room. Some people were crying by the time he was done. Some bowed their heads and could not bear to look at him. Dr Abraham got up and spoke. His voice was gentle and reassuring. He said, " Now Seun, that is one hell of a story if you ask me". He cleared his throat and continued, " You can do either of two things in this situation. First, you can choose to focus on all the negativities in your life. Live in self pity and hopefully die one day soon or you can take charge of your life and have a positive impact on people. You can start a sickle cell foundation where you can educate people on Sickle cell disease. You can start a support group for those with the disease. You can help prevent the disease anyway you can. You will be more fulfilled doing that. Even if you die, I pray you don't, it will be a happy death."
"At this juncture, let's call it a day," said The doctor. "Let's not forget to talk about Depression, it helps. Till we meet again next week, stay blessed". "Goodnight doctor", everyone chorused and filed out of the room. Only Seun did not leave. He broke down in tears at the doctor's feet and said, "Thank you very much doctor. I choose to live positively hence forth. I will take your advice and positively impact people's lives."
Dr Abraham pulled him up and supported him as they walked outside. He looked up to the sky feeling very fulfilled. He loves helping people. And on days like this, he feels like a super hero.
I want to use this opportunity to encourage you all reading this to help people around you. I have already discussed the symptoms of Depression in the last episode. Let us encourage people to talk. A woman is suffering and we say she should not talk. A husband is depressed and because of stigmatisation, we say he should not tell anyone. All these have to stop. Depression is Real and only talking about it helps!!!
Thanks so much for your time. Special thanks to my daughter who helped me to edit this piece and my son who gave me some ideas. God bless you all.
