A Nigerian father has publicly expressed regret after his daughter was diagnosed with sickle cell disease, admitting he ignored genotype compatibility before marriage because of his religious convictions. Speaking in a video shared by Linda Ikeji's blog, the father revealed that he and his wife both discovered they were AS (sickle cell trait carriers) before marrying but chose to proceed, believing that faith and prayer would protect their future children from the disease.
Discovery and Decision
The father explained that he dated his wife for three years without sexual intimacy, adhering to his religious principles. When they learned they were both AS, he convinced himself that his faithfulness to God would prevent them from having a child with sickle cell disease. He described this reasoning as 'foolishness,' acknowledging the gravity of his mistake.
Watching His Daughter Suffer
He said observing his daughter experience a sickle cell crisis made him realize the seriousness of his decision. The painful episodes his daughter endures have become a constant reminder of the consequences of prioritizing belief over medical evidence. He now urges couples to take genotype compatibility seriously before marriage.
A Warning to Others
In his message, the father cautioned that prayer cannot override reality when one knowingly makes a mistake. 'Prayer cannot solve it if you open your eyes and make a mistake that reality has already shown you,' he said. He hopes his experience serves as a warning to others not to ignore scientific and medical realities due to religious beliefs.
