Mrs. Maria Akinfe is a sickle‑cell disease activist who runs the Instagram advocacy page @thrivingwithsicklecell. In a recent report, she and her husband, Mr. Babatunde Akinfe, shared how they found love and are thriving despite the challenges of sickle cell.
Maria only learned in her late teens why her late father had taken her regularly to Lagos University Teaching Hospital for check‑ups and treatment. He explained that she needed to join a sickle‑cell support group so she could learn to care for herself when he was no longer there. “He told me that, now that I’m grown, I have to learn to look after myself because he won’t always be around,” she recalled. Joining the group taught her how to manage her condition and live as a person with sickle cell.
Although Maria never saw the disease as a barrier to love, she initially chose to stay away from relationships. Her mother, worried about her daughter’s future, cautioned her to date only men with the AA genotype. “She said if I wanted a serious relationship leading to marriage, the person had to be AA,” Maria said. While she understood her mother’s concern, she was not actively seeking a partner and preferred to avoid the wrong relationships.
When Maria eventually met Babatunde, she disclosed her sickle‑cell status. He was not discouraged; he also has the AA genotype, making him a suitable match. Their relationship blossomed, leading to a loving marriage of 14 years and two children. Beyond being a sickle‑cell warrior, Maria is dedicated to educating other Nigerians about living well with the condition. Through her Instagram page, she shares tips on thriving despite the disease. As a travel‑management expert, she has also taught her children how to assist during a crisis when their father is unavailable.
Speaking with Healthwise, Babatunde said that even though he knew Maria had sickle cell while they were courting, he was determined that nothing—no matter how frightening—would come between them. He described their marriage as God‑ordained, a belief they both share. Babatunde’s first exposure to sickle cell was a secondary‑school biology class; Maria was the first person he met living with the condition. When he learned of her SS genotype, he asked, “What does the Bible say about it?” He cited Acts, noting that all people are made of one blood, and concluded that God’s goodness meant there was no reason to fear the disease. His faith reinforced his conviction to marry Maria, and his family supported the union.
After nearly 14 years of marriage, Babatunde says they have faced the sickle‑cell challenge together. Watching his wife endure a crisis is painful, and he often wishes he could take her pain away. Though he cannot eliminate her suffering, he has learned to manage it effectively. “When she’s in crisis, especially at night, I ask her to rate the pain from 0 to 10,” he explained. Depending on the severity, they may call a nurse friend, administer painkillers, or wait until morning. He never feels scared; he knows when to treat at home and when to seek clinic care.
Babatunde’s health‑insurance coverage makes accessing care for Maria relatively easy, but he worries about those who cannot afford such insurance. He urges the government to subsidise medication for all Nigerians living with sickle cell.
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