Nollywood actor Chinedu Ikedieze, widely known as Aki, has candidly shared about the challenges he faced during his upbringing, particularly the emotional turmoil he experienced upon being diagnosed with stunted growth at the age of nine.
Aki revealed that the news of his diagnosis deeply affected him, especially when he overheard the doctor discussing his condition with his mother.
The realization that he wasn’t growing normally led to a period of distress, exacerbated by the bullying he endured from other children who taunted him.
Speaking in a recent interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Aki recounted, “Something happened when I was nine years and six months old. I remember the doctor saying to my mum, ‘Madam, what he has is stunted growth.’
That was when I started hearing the words, stunted and retarded growth. I cried several times because I was bullied in school and even at home because I wasn’t growing properly. It got bad, there were times I thought of ending it all.
Thank God I didn’t grow up in Lagos because Third Mainland Bridge isn’t too far [laughs].”
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Aki expressed gratitude to his mother for being a pillar of support during those challenging times.
He also shared that his connection with fellow actor Osita Iheme, known as Pawpaw, was evident from their very first meeting. Their chemistry was palpable and played a crucial role in their successful on-screen partnership.
