The right of Elizabeth Amoaa to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.
Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
All of the events in this memoir are true to the best of authors memory. The views expressed in this memoir are solely those of the author.
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.
Acknowledgement
I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to Ghana National Chief Imam Sheik Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, Maame Adjoa Cann Peprah, Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey Santana, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, Oheneyere Gifty Anti, Martin Osei Kwaku Brobbey, Freda Bediako Puni, Boaitey Mensah, and Simon Anthony Saoud, Elorm Richards, Mustapha Nii-Okai Inusah, Hawula Shaban Farl and Hajia Katumi Ibrahim for their able guidance and support in helping me pursue my advocacy work.
I would also like to extend my gratitude to all the media houses and platforms, nationally and internationally, who have shared my story to inspire their audience, especially many thanks go to Bacrotft TV, Mirror (UK), Daily mail (UK), Metro News (UK), Health Magazine (US), Castledown Radio (Andover), Omega live TV (UK), Trinity Radio (Canada), Premier Gospel Radio (UK) and all leading Ghana media platforms such as 3fm, Okay FM, Joy FM, TV3, TV Africa, GHOne TV and Radio XYZ.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge with gratitude, the support and love of my family, friends and all the women and young girls who are inspired by my story and motivate me to carry on being the voice of the voiceless; this book would not have been possible without them.
Introduction
Many challenges and setbacks we face in life always serves as a motivational tool for us to become the best version of ourselves. Everything that happens to us, happens for a good or bad reason, so we must learn to focus on the good side of each situation and bounce back stronger and wiser. Because, no one can predict what the future holds but as long as we are mentally strong, positive and with faith, we can overcome everything that is thrown at us.
Writing this book has been a long-awaited ambition of mine.
Many have heard, read, listened, and watched my health journey on social media, newspapers, radio programmes, television shows, etc. The question that comes to me whenever I read my story in the newspapers is how many people have heard about the story of a woman with various women reproductive health issues.
On Thursday, 21 November 2019, it was an afternoon after finishing work, many thoughts raced through my mind. The thought of questioning myself whether I have managed to accomplish my dreams of being the voice of the voiceless.
Many questions went through my mind; some were regarding my purpose on this earth, why I chose to be the founder of Speciallady Awareness, and my vision on this earth kept drifting through my mind.
It was on this day I realised my existence on this earth was more than just being who I thought I was.
Although I have started the journey to be the voice of the voiceless, for women and girls suffering from gynaecological conditions, I realised that putting my life in a form of a book will be a more effective way of reaching out to the audience globally.
I believe this books objectives are to encourage other women and young girls that irrespective of their medical conditions, their social background, their age or educational background, they must never suffer in silence rather, they must seek adequate medical care and support.
In addition, this will not only be a source of motivational tool for many women and young girls undergoing gynaecological conditions, but also it will be a legacy for my generation to know who I am and why I decided to be the voice of the voiceless. This book will emphasise women or girls who go through uncertain health journey to be inspired and understand that they are special and born to make an impact, irrespective of their conditions.
Chapter 1
A Childs Misery
It was another dreadful night, experiencing one of my episodes of insomnia. However, I have a good way of dealing with my insomnia episodes. Hence, I started to memorise all the praises, achievements, flashbacks of the work Speciallady Awareness has been doing. Reflecting on all these activities gave me unexplainable joy; this immense joy for being the voice of the voiceless for many other women or girls who are suffering in silence. This prodigious joy of being able to use my story to encourage other women to get appropriate medical care and support felt like a worthwhile life spent on this earth.
Somewhere in August 2019 was the day Barcroft studios agreed to shoot my documentary for Born Different Episodes. Prior to this day, it had been a long three months of telephone conversations, interviews, and providing pieces of evidence to Tom Midlane, the producer of their show. Just a few weeks before I got in touch with Barcroft TV, I approached the Daily Mirror UK to give me a platform to share my story.
I sent a request via their Facebook messenger and I received a message with an email address where I can send my story. I did a short video recording, and I wrote an email pleading to share my story and experience as a patient with various gynaecological conditions. I waited for a long time to receive a response from Daily Mirror, but I didnt receive one. I sent the email again. One of the editors replied and asked for my contact number, which I provided. However, another two weeks flew by rapidly, and I did not receive any calls or emails. I searched the editors on Google, and I got her office telephone number. I called the media company, and I was asked whether she was expecting my call. I replied confidently no, but I was expecting her call for an interview. The call was transferred, and she picked it. My words were short but I was quick to introduce myself and told her that I was expecting her call regarding my story. She apologised for not getting in touch due to a tight schedule and some emergency news headlines. She arranged a telephone conversation; however, on the due date I did not hear from her. I said to myself,