Nollywood actor Chinedu Ikedieze, famously known for his role as “Aki,” has shared a deeply emotional account of his battle with stunted growth and the toll it took on his mental health.
In a recent revelation, Ikedieze opened up about how his mother took him to a doctor at the age of nine, where he was diagnosed with “stunted growth” or “growth retardation.”
The diagnosis, coupled with constant teasing from others, led him to a dark place, where he even contemplated ending his life.
He recalled how, as a young boy, the doctor’s words were a hard blow for him to process. “I was born and raised in the village, so when the doctor spoke in English, it really hit me. He told my mom, ‘Stop worrying. There’s nothing wrong with him except that he has stunted growth,’” Ikedieze shared. He was then handed a report that mentioned the term “growth retardation,” which left him confused and devastated.
The actor also remembered how his mother, despite her efforts to encourage him, often reminded him that physical limitations might prevent him from doing certain jobs, urging him instead to focus on education as his way forward.
Despite the emotional pain of being bullied and mocked by peers, Ikedieze used education as his weapon to push through. However, he admitted that the bullying was so severe that it led him to contemplate suicide during his lowest moments.
Today, the actor credits his resilience and focus on education as key factors that allowed him to overcome his struggles and rise to fame.
Source: NewsandVibes.com
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