Thanks for waiting. In case you missed the preview, find it here, so you know what to expect. If you are not sure what Beneath the Smile is about, please check the preview out.
The project aims at looking beyond the smiles of the next person, to see what’s really beneath, what’s really going on? How people really need help and won’t bother saying anything about it but would rather cover it up with a façade of strength, with a smile.
It’s time to look beneath the smile and lend a helping hand. People are going through real things, these are their stories.
We hope that you’d be kind enough to leave a comment. Your feedback is important to us.
Today’s story was sent in by one of our readers @sisi_OPE
This is her story.
Please Read.
The ‘Beneath the Smile’ Project.
So, having read all the Beneath the Smile series, I decided to write my story too! My name is Ope, 23 years old this year, I’m the 9th child of my Dad, the 3rd of my Mum and the 1st of the union of my Mum and Dad (quite complex I know).
My story is somewhat similar to Moji’s {Her Story, VIII by @SkuSskus}. I got to know about to know my genotype at the age of 7 thereabout, my Mum being a single parent took it upon herself not to believe her child was Sickle Cell Anaemic, so we decided to ignore it since I never had any crisis growing up until I was in SS1 (after my mum died).
I had to move to my Dad’s, being a polygamist and a politician, he was barely around and when he was, he didn’t have time for any child though he made all of us extremely comfortable. All this while, my crisis was still mild up until 100 level. I came to face the reality of being a sickle-cell patient. My crisis was rampant and extremely painful! I was scared of going home on breaks ’cause I knew I’d end up in the hospital.
During one Christmas holiday, I got 32 drips and 22 injections and of course 4 pints of blood. I was always in pain that I became numb to injections, transfusions became a routine. I thought I was going to die. I stopped taking my medications just because I wanted to feel like a normal child without having to depend on medication all my life!
The trips to the health center and hospital were very frequent and I was even referred to as the ‘landlady of the private ward’ by one of the matrons (very mean of her..lool). My hospital bills were in six digits. I would wake my friends who would go all the way to my sister’s wing to wake her since she was my angel on earth that has gotten used to my crisis and knows exactly what to do. During all of my crisis, I cried to God to heal me. I was scared of my future, my child-bearing, my relationships.
At this point, I denied being SS to most people, silently wondering to myself ‘why you would even ask someone that…isn’t it obvious?’. I found it hard to keep up eye contacts just because I felt bad about the ‘yellowish’ discoloration of my eyes. I thought no one knew how I felt and the thoughts going on in my mind had a lot to do with my future. My relationships suffered cause I thought they would all leave me at the end of the day, or worse I would ‘leave’.
But! I got my healing this year (January 19th to be precise) during one of the services! I told God I was not leaving Covenant University with Sickle Cell Anaemia. I haven’t done my tests yet to be assured, but I key into Romans 4:20 and I believe my faith has made me whole.
Therefore, Goodbye Sickle Cell Anaemia!
This is my story that has hidden Beneath My Smile. 🙂
• • •
Don’t just read, say a prayer.
A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS?
N.B. The project goes on with Today’s ’His Story, XIX’ by An Anonymous writer (4pm)
You can still send in your own true stories to obafuntay@gmail.com
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obafuntay 
I love your faith. Keep believing and confessing that you’re no longer a sickle cell patient. Your Healing is permanent in Jesus’ name. Stay blessed
I pray Fø̲я̅ you everyday hunnie. I L♥√ع you.
Glory be to Yahweh for your sake. Lost a classmate to this stuff. Please make sure you confirm this ASAP by doing a test, alright? 😀
Live well.
The path of the righteous is like a shining light that shines brighter and brighter unto the perfect day… Your perfect day is coming and the best is yet to come. It only gets better….Stay strong, you are not alone!
Well.. I like that, you have claimed your healing, however,
I would still ask that you don’t stop confessing God’s word, irrespective of how you feel, constantly remind the devil and everyone who cares to hear, that you have been healed. Never get discouraged. God brings beauty from pain. He is making a testimony out of your situation. Be calm!
Your faith is beautiful!! Only this kind of faith challenges God and gives Him pleasure. God made healing available to us a long time ago but until we tap into it,it’s dormant. I thank God for this testimony because if we both serve the same God of the bible,then you’ve been made perfect! Congratulations!
My sister, my friend, my baby, I love ur faith.. The lord has done it.. He does not fail his children.. God shall continue to perfect all that concerns u.. Iove u to the moon and back..
Thanks a lot! Amen!
@ Sisi Ope, I luv U baby, and yep U re healed,
This is a wonderful and touching story.woow am in shock tho;a strong lady u are Ope 🙂
Thanks Slasha!
Bless the name of the lord… I know you are healed babe. It’s been weel with you long ago even before you realised.. And can I shock you ma? God is still on your case. Love you nuchos!!!!!
God will complete what he has started in your Life. Your life is a testimony and it will continue to inspire others. By His Stripes, You are Healed
You are blessed! By His stripes, you “were” healed….that is, God took away your infirmities even before you were born, now that you have asked, surely shall you receive…we hope to get the confirmation of God’s work in your life…love xoxo “Your Darling Pest”
2 gbagada thumbs up to u…i am moved by ur faith…d Lord is ur strength…u actually put a smile on my face nw 😀
Wonderful level of faith hun, kip believing dnt stop confessing!! Ur healing has bin perfected evn b4 u asked. Av always prayed 4 u cuz tho its nt happening to me I feel ur pain at times nd knw hw difficult it sometimes can b. I love u darling moi always :* Ure alive 2 live old nd fulfil Godz purpose 4 ur life. SMILE aLWAYS!!
I’m glad you wrote & i Love your faith. I stopped hoping mine would change….maybe God wants to prove a point. Sorry about you past pains. All is well 🙂 You’r a strong, young amazing woman. (Like my mum calls me) ;D
i love dis piece. God bless u ope and he has perfected ur healing already. GLORY!!!
so happy for u Ope!!! God will perfect ur healing IJN!!
Ope I have known u since primary school neva tot u cud/ wud ve gone tru dis u ve always been full of life. I sincerely join ma faith wit urs n believe ur healing is permanent. God wud definetly complete n perfect wat he started
Thanks a lot Mary! Amen!
Ur faith has made u whole..Amen
Sweetheart, Congrats. Even if your results stiil test positive. Refuse 2 believe d report, bieve God instead. Remember, faith is a titledeed. Keep confessing ur healing and watch urself getting stronger. Dig into God’s word like ur life depend on it & of course, ur life does depend on it. Believe God’s word & not ur feelings.
we love u nd would always stand by u…”ALWAYS”
Yaaaaaay!!!! AWESOME!! By he’s stripes u are healed!!!!! I’m happy for u, coz for sure I know wen u eventually go get tested, u’ll b fine! Dtz hw much I trust and believe in my God! :* enjoy life to d fullest! Cheers xoxo
you are healed my dear!
I thank God for ur life ope. I know lettle about the storry. Hope to see u ope, longest time baby
Babe, As the lord exist till infinity, U̶̲̥̅̊я sickness will not exist any more in U̶̲̥̅̊я life in jesus name. Just have faith & U̶̲̥̅̊я faith shall made U̶̲̥̅̊ whole.
if God Ȋ̝̊̅§ for U̶̲̥̅̊, ђ☺ can be against U̶̲̥̅̊ ?
Stay peace.
WOW! @Ope your faith is the victory that overcomes the world i’m a living testimony too..i had mine change from AS – AA ,Jst didnt like the fact there was AS in me i had to change it..God has done urs to aswell keep confessing ur miracle dear..btwn i think we have a lot in common..My name is Ope too and i also call my self The proverbs 31 woman to be exact…cheers darlyn
Emmmmm tbh ‘ve never liked ope (don’t know her personally oh)…..but now ‘ve got to say that I do respect u…..May ur healing be permanent babe 🙂
Babyyyyyyyyyyy…. When i hugged u dat day, i was too sure u had been healed!!! I’m so proud o’ u, coming out 2 share ur story… ”We overcame him by d blood of d Lamb n by d words of our TESTIMONY”… This is ur testimony!!!… The battle is over, d devil lost n u are victorious…. 🙂 .. Luv u loads :* :*
The Lord will perfect that which concerns u. Keep praying for a bright future – don’t worry but think and plan about ur future. The Lord promises to give perfect peace to those whose heart trust Him & to give u a future & a hope (Jer 29:11). He never fails! Don’t forget.