She stated that she got admission into the university when she had a Sickle Cell complication- Avascular Necrosis of the hipbone. Joy added that her doctors said she could never walk on her own until she does hip replacement surgery on both hips.

Joy said this caused her doctors to move her from using crutches to using a walking frame. She stated that throughout her first year, she would walk to class and lab practicals with the walking frame in pain and in shame.

She said even though there were options for a cab, she could not opt for it because the frame was heavy and the cab drivers did not have the patience to wait for the process of folding it.

Joy noted that her health challenges took a toll on her socially, mentally and physically. She said other students would stare at her on the road to offer help and even became friends in the long run while some would just stare and walk past her.

She said she was in and out of the hospitals so many times for sickle cell crisis adding that the university medical center was almost like her second home at some point. Joy stated that she wrote almost all her examinations on the hospital bed.

Joy stated that she could not go anywhere without at least two bottles of water, a jacket, and socks. She added that the scars on her body are a result of allergic reactions to an injection they gave me during the pain crisis.

She said that despite all of her struggles, she is happy to have finally graduated with a first-class. Joy also mentioned that she took a course in Health Safety and Environment course too and has been certified.

Joy expressed her gratitude to few of her friends, mother and sisters for constantly reminding her to take care of herself, take her drugs, drink plenty of water, and also avoid stress and cold