“Caring for my ‘special needs’ child has swallowed up my money, now I am helpless”– Kuchi Kuchi (oh Baby!) singer, Jodie appeals for help

Soulful singer, Joy Eseoghene Odiete popularly known as Jodie, has cried out to Nigerians via an open letter.

Jodie who released her monster hit debut single, ‘Kuchi Kuchi’ (Oh! Baby) which became an anthem in many homes is appealing to Nigerians to come to her aid as she battles to survive and care for her special need child.

The singer during an interview opened up about the difficulties she experienced during childbirth and her dismay when she found out that her son was diagnosed with Lissencephaly and Cerebral Palsy after two weeks.

Following the diagnosis, Jodie disclosed that at a point she was being advised by doctors to leave her son with her mother else she would run crazy.

She also stated in the interview that it’s has been emotional roller coaster since the diagnosis.

In a fresh post, the singer wrote a very lengthy letter to Nigerians, to come to her aid as catering for her son, has swallowed up her finances. She also disclosed that friends have deserted her because of her constant begging and borrow…

In a letter tagged, ‘Open Letter to Nigerians’ , Jodie wrote:

AN OPEN LETTER (Pardon) This message is not for the Kings, Queens or Men and Women of substance of Nigeria. This message is for the sons, daughters, servants, security agents, concubines….ANYBODY whom the Kings and Queens have a soft spot for their opinions.

I would have paid a media crew, to make a compelling and attractive video, but, please forgive me… I cannot afford it now.

am not a lazy person. I sang a song, Kuchi Kuchi in 2010, which Kings and Queens have listened to and enjoyed. I am using the soft spot that song may have created to make this appeal.

In the past 6 years, I have hawked beaded jewellery in offices like Total, Noah’s Ark, DDB etc. I have sold hair care products. I have begged. I have borrowed. Nigerians are kind. Even Bellanaija has sent me 100k… I have been a beneficiary of Air Peace’s Thursday session with the Chairman as a social responsibility to help the less privileged – SEVERAL TIMES. The truth is, I am a NOBODY, but I was inspired, years ago to sing a song even when I didn’t know myself – a song that still resonates till date. Who knows? Maybe the essence of Kuchi Kuchi was not for my popularity, but to respond to the silent cries of mothers who gave birth to special needs children. Maybe its essence was to speak for the blood of the special needs children that has been spilled IN SECRET by helpless mothers who did not know what else to do. I know this, because some strangers have advised me to kill or abandon my son, because such children are sent to swallow up finances.

My finances have been swallowed. My friends have abandoned me, because I am a beggar. My debts are new every morning. But I am a mother who would rather DIE first before her son does not eat.

Special needs children do not eat normal food. Special needs children need a lot of medical, emotional, etc care. Special Needs children require the help of well established world-class organisations, because it is not their fault that they were born that way.

In my case, the hospital I delivered my son had a hand in it. I blame myself for not going to a general hospital. It is past. There is nothing I can do about it now.