Help Oyinda Walk Again
Before her world turned upside down, Oyinda was a high achiever in every sense of the word. She was:
- An award-winning student, receiving $15,000 as the first-prize winner of the international Think Quest web design competition at age 16.
- A full scholarship recipient at both the University of Richmond, Virginia, and the London School of Economics.
- A successful investment banker in London who later left the corporate world to start her own business.
Her story was one of brilliance, resilience, and promise — until a series of devastating medical events took her off her feet.
What Happened? In August 2021, just 4 weeks after giving birth to premature twins at 30 weeks, Oyinda tragically lost her newborn daughter, Aiko.
While still reeling from that devastating loss, she began experiencing severe headaches and rapid neurological decline.
Repeated hospital visits dismissed her symptoms as migraines or other conditions, but she was actually suffering from Stage 3 meningitis.
By the time she was correctly diagnosed at a fourth hospital, she had become delirious, suffered a stroke, and sustained a C6 spinal cord injury — leaving her paralyzed from the chest down.
Oyinda refused to give up, learning to walk again by December 2021 through months of intense rehab.
Life slowly resumed — she embraced yoga, swimming, and even dancing — until May 2023, when severe spinal cord inflammation required emergency surgery.
In June 2023, she was diagnosed with Neuro-Sjogren's, a rare autoimmune disorder that attacks her nervous system, confining her to a wheelchair just before her 40th birthday.
She remained determined to beat paralysis, starting physical therapy and treatment.
Then came further setbacks:
- A second stroke in August 2024 left her permanently blind in one eye.
- Steroid-related complications caused diabetes, high blood pressure, Cushing’s syndrome, and osteoporosis.
- In January 2025, a fracture and nerve injury in her right arm resulted in loss of hand function.
Despite everything, Oyinda’s spirit has never broken. But she now urgently needs specialized rehabilitation to reclaim her mobility, independence, and quality of life.
Path to Recovery : We've found hope at Mission Health in India, a leading neuro-rehabilitation facility offering advanced treatment at a significantly lower cost than similar programs in the UK and US.
There, Oyinda will receive:
- Intensive neuro-rehabilitation
- Therapy to restore mobility and hand function
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Continuous monitoring of her autoimmune condition
- Support to restore independence and dignity
What We’re Raising We’re aiming to raise $40,000 to cover the full cost of her 3-month treatment and support in India:
● $18,000 – Treatment and neuro-rehabilitation (3 months)
● $6,000 – Flights for Oyinda and a caregiver
● $9,000 – Accommodation and living expenses (3 months)
● $3,000 – Daily nursing support and personal care (3 months)
● $2,000 – Orthotics, mobility aids, and rehab equipment
● $2,000 – Ongoing tests and medication to manage Neuro- Sjogren's
✨ How You Can Help My sister’s spirit remains resilient, with the hope that she will one day be restored. We, her family and friends, are asking you to be part of her story. Help us give her the chance to heal fully.
Every dollar brings her closer to:
- Holding her children again
- Walking on her own Dancing again
- Living a life filled with dignity and independence
It has been a long road for all of us — but an even longer one for her. With your support, Oyinda’s story can be one of restoration — not just survival.
With deepest gratitude,
Dami (Oyinda’s sister).
Organizer and beneficiary
Oyinda Osonowo
Beneficiary