May 01, (THEWILL) – Joy Esoghene Odiete, professionally known as Jodie, is passionate about children with special needs and she has been pursuing that passion with vigour. The singer abandoned her music career to pursue her dream and has been getting the needed support from Nigerians who have been donating to the noble cause.
Jodie’s passion for special children started in 2016 after giving birth to her first son, Chinua Nnaji, who was born with Lissencephaly and Cerebral Palsy. Lissencephaly is a rare gene-linked brain disorder whereby the whole part of the surface of the brain appears smooth. It is characterised by an abnormally small head and cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture.
The singer was battling with her son’s challenge when she was dealt with another blow after her marriage with Nollywood actor David Nnaji crashed. She slipped into depression. With help from her family and friends, she was able to rise again to pursue her passion for children with special needs. The mother of one is now working towards building a care centre for such children, just like the Cerebral Palsy Centre in Lakowe, Lagos State. She is also working towards setting up a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to fuel her passion.
Jodie is currently recording a song on the plight of mothers nursing children with special needs.
