An Anambra State-based hairstylist, Loveth Sunday, has recounted how her fiancé ended their relationship after she lost one of her legs in a road accident barely three weeks after their introduction ceremony.
Sunday, 27, made the revelation in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, where she also narrated her struggle to rebuild her life following the 2019 accident that claimed two lives and left her permanently disabled.
The Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area indigene said she was standing by the roadside in front of the Oraifite Police Station on April 12, 2019, when a commercial bus reportedly suffered brake failure, veered off the road and rammed into three people.
According to her, while two victims died on the spot, she survived after sustaining severe injuries and spending five days in a coma.
She disclosed that sympathisers rushed her to several hospitals, but she was allegedly rejected by five medical facilities before eventually receiving treatment at a sixth hospital.
Sunday said doctors later informed her that her left leg had been badly damaged and would have to be amputated to save her life after the tissue began to decay.
She explained that although her parents initially opposed the procedure, fearing the consequences, doctors warned that delaying the amputation could allow the infection to spread to vital organs and become fatal.
She added that she eventually consented to the operation after being convinced it was the only option to stay alive.
The hairstylist revealed that her family spent about N2.5 million on medical treatment after initially being asked to deposit N350,000.
Speaking on the emotional toll of the tragedy, Sunday said her fiancé, whom she had been preparing to marry after their introduction ceremony on March 23, 2019, visited her once in the hospital before ending the relationship.
She told The PUNCH that despite her efforts to reach out to him, he informed her that he was no longer interested in marrying her.
According to her, the decision was devastating, particularly because she had expected encouragement and support during one of the most difficult periods of her life.
Sunday also lamented that some close friends abandoned her after the accident, including her best friend, who has never visited or contacted her since the incident.
She said although she once bought a prosthetic leg, it later became faulty, forcing her to return to using crutches.
According to her, she currently requires a new prosthesis, with suitable options ranging from N850,000 to N2.5 million, depending on their functionality.
She appealed to well-meaning Nigerians for financial assistance to acquire the prosthetic limb and expand her small business, noting that proceeds from the business help to meet her medical and daily living expenses.
Sunday further disclosed that she was unable to pursue university education after gaining admission because of financial constraints and instead learnt hairstyling as a means of livelihood.
She also alleged that the driver responsible for the accident neither visited her nor paid adequate compensation, claiming that only the driver’s brother came to the hospital with N50,000 despite the family spending millions on her treatment.
Despite the painful experience, Sunday said she remains grateful to be alive and continues to draw strength from her faith as she works towards rebuilding her life.