Amputee recalls surgery, stigma and a journey towards self-acceptance

Oluwatosin Jegede has described the medical and emotional journey that followed an amputation performed when she was six years old. She was born with Type 3 Tibial Hemimelia, a rare condition involving the absence of the tibia bone in her right leg, alongside polydactyly. Jegede told Punch that the affected limb became heavy and painful, making even the short journey to primary school difficult.

Her family could not afford specialised orthopaedic treatment, but later learned about a government-sponsored healthcare initiative and enrolled her for evaluation. In 2006, X-rays showed that delaying surgery could cause severe and permanent damage to her spinal cord because of physical imbalance. Preparations began at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, but the procedure was postponed because the hospital lacked the necessary equipment.

She said the equipment became available the following year and she was transferred to Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Doctors gave the operation a 50/50 survival and success estimate, and her parents signed high-risk consent forms. The surgery took place in February 2007 and healed completely within three weeks.

She also received her first prosthetic limb. Jegede said adjusting to life on one leg involved learning to use crutches and confronting fear about her changed appearance. She felt grateful that the painful limb had been removed and that the risk of spinal complications had been addressed, but struggled socially.

After surgery, her mother moved her to another primary school and asked her not to disclose the amputation. Jegede said she hid her prosthesis beneath long skirts and faced bullying and insensitive reactions. She later described her family as her anchor, recalling her father’s assurance that he would accompany her if others refused to do so.

She said her experience ultimately taught her resilience and helped her understand that physical change had not altered her identity.