Nollywood actress, Nse Ikpe Etim, has said she emotionally lost it after she was medically informed that she can’t bear children.
Sharing her plight with media personality and lawyer Chude Jideonwo, Nse had disclosed she had to undergo hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) to have a life again after she was diagnosed with adenomyosis.
Finding out she couldn’t have children, Nse Ikpe Etim didn’t feel ashamed, rather she felt inadequate.
She said her extended family has been very supportive as they don’t place importance on childbearing which has largely sustained her sanity.
She said,
FINDING OUT I COULDN’T HAVE CHILDREN DIDN’T MAKE ME FEEL ASHAMED. I DIDN’T FEEL SHAME, BUT INADEQUACY, I FELT INADEQUATE AS A WOMAN BECAUSE EVERY TIME IT WAS MENTIONED I WOULD REMEMBER. SO THAT’S WHAT IT WAS. SHAME, I’M NOT ASHAMED. THE LEAST THAT I WOULD BE BUT I’M THANKFUL FOR HOW I WAS BROUGHT UP, WE DON’T TIE SHAME TO OURSELVES. WE LIVE THROUGH LIFE FULLY AND THAT’S HOW IT IS
Speaking on adoption, Nse Ikpe who was indecisive of the choice said, she and her husband are contented with just being dog parents.
YOU NEVER SAY NEVER, BUT RIGHT NOW CLIFFORD AND I ARE DOG PARENT. PEOPLE SHOW BE ALLOWED TO LIVE, WHAT ELSE? WE ARE OKAY. AND NOTHING DEFINES YOU, NOT ONE THING DEFINES YOU.
She added,
MY HUSBAND STOOD BY ME THROUGH ALL OF THIS BECAUSE THAT’S THE WAY IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE WHEN PEOPLE SAY OH WE NEED TO BE REALLY THANKFUL FOR. WHAT REALLY HAPPENED? THIS IS US, YOU WALK IN THERE AS IT’S A PARTNERSHIP, WHAT COMES GOOD, BAD, UGLY, IT’S US JUST LET IT BE.
