Joshua Victor Ayewoh, a 27-year-old Ibadan-based photographer and graduate of Mass Communication from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State is seeking public support to undergo critical spine surgery following a debilitating accident. The incident, which occurred on December 12, 2023, along the Apata Expressway, has left him struggling with persistent pain and restricted mobility, requiring immediate medical intervention.
Initially, Ayewoh, unaware of the severity of his injuries, treated himself at home with painkillers and topical balms. He used a walking stick for support and believed his condition would improve. However, by January 2024, the pain worsened, and he sought professional help from the O-Physio Clinic in Bodija. After several sessions of painful physiotherapy, Ayewoh was advised to use crutches and braces for better movement. Despite these measures, financial difficulties forced him to discontinue treatment after two months.
In March 2024, Ayewoh’s situation worsened when he fell while using crutches, injuring his lower back. He sought medical care at Oluyoro Hospital, where a lumbosacral MRI scan revealed a disc compression, the source of his severe pain. After 10 days of treatment, including a skin traction process, he was discharged, but his condition remained largely unchanged.
Though Ayewoh saw some improvement and returned to using a walking stick, the pain persisted, and his mobility continued to deteriorate. A third checkup in May led to a referral to a neurosurgeon, as surgery was now considered the best option. Unfortunately, financial constraints prevented him from following through with the recommendation.
By late September 2024, after months of trying painkillers and alternative therapies without relief, Ayewoh found himself seeking help from Bodmed Neurological Centre in Bodija. He was asked to redo his MRI scan to assess his current condition and was prescribed pain relief while awaiting an appointment with a neurosurgeon.
Ayewoh now faces the possibility of losing his legs if surgery is not conducted promptly. With mounting medical bills, he is turning to the public for financial support. The estimated cost for his pre-surgery, surgery, and post-surgery therapy is ₦3 million. Through a crowdfunding campaign, he has been able to raise some funds to complete the MRI scan, but he still urgently needs help to proceed with the surgery.
His account details for donations are:
WEMA Bank
Account Number: 0232295377
Account Name: Joshua Victor Ayewoh
Opay
Account Number: 8138596487
Account Name: Joshua Victor Ayewoh
“I need the support of everyone to help me save my legs. They are getting weaker each day, and without the walking aids and bandages, I can barely stand for 10 seconds. Please, join me in this cause,” Ayewoh appeals.
He hopes that with the public’s generosity, he can avoid permanent disability and return to his work and life as a photographer.