November 14, 2015 is a day I’ll never forget; a day I fought for my life. I took a bike from my school, University of Ibadan to the University College Hospital (UCH) for a quick visit not knowing that was soon going to be my home. Within 5 minutes of leaving the school gate, a car ran into my bike from the side. Witness said he ran his tyres over us, dragged us on the road because the bike got hooked to the car and then drove off at top speed. I had to drag myself away from the busy road, tasting blood in my mouth, with my whole body in so much pain. All I could hear were voices of concerned passers-by helping me up, asking, “Who should we call?” All I could mutter was, “Jesus help me” as I was trying hard to hold on to dear life. I kept hearing, “Rebecca, please don’t sleep. Just keep looking at the light (someone’s Nokia torch light).” It all happened fast. 

I was in hospital and the last thing I heard was, “We have to run a CT scan and X-rays to check her brain and her spinal cord.” Darkness surrounded me. I couldn’t see anymore and I couldn’t form coherent sentences. I spent the next few days in the neuro ward. The doctor said, “The nurses will clean your wounds daily but you are not to move or turn your head. You’ll have to eat, urinate, poo and bathe on this bed. We need to be sure your spinal cord is not affected.” I was always sad at night. I was a final year student, my project was outstanding, and I had exams in 2weeks. I cried every night. Was I going to have an extra year? I kept asking God so many questions. I depended on the nurses for everything! 

When I left the hospital, reality dawned on me. My project! Exams! I insisted on going back to school because I didn’t want bed rest. I studied hard but it was difficult because I had to wear the neck collar. I did everything with my neck collar. I could not bend, lift heavy things or sleep on a bed. The pain was excruciating and I was always crying, but I had to be strong. I read, wrote my exams, defended my project and graduated with a 5.0 CGPA. It could have only been God. I pulled through with the help of my family, friends, lecturers, course mates and doctors.