Many people in life have already given up on hope,especially when faced with situations that are beyond human comprehension, such a thing has happen to me that i have even began to doubt whether God is out there or that He even answers prayer until i read a little article that completetly change my life and perception.I am hereby sharing it with you,with the hope that it will have the same effect it has on me on you too.Enjoy it:

''Titi, an entertainer, suddenly fell as she danced before a huge crowd during a great celebration in Ajagbodudu in Delta state, located in southern Nigeria.At first everyone thought the young woman , who was known to be the best dancer in her town,was introducing a new style.The crowd chanted,cheered and clapped, but soon stopped when the dancer remained on the ground.What was happening?People rushed at each other as the head of the dance troupe rushed to Titi's side.

He tried to assist her to her feet ,but Titi was paralysed from the waist down.For years after that ,her husband Itoto and their family took her to different places of healing,traditional ,western,herbalist,but nothing worked.Everyone began to say that Titi, a mother of one ,would never give birth again,One traditional healer, suggested shocking her legsto walk by pouring hot boiling water on the legs.Titi's family complied ,but her legs suffered third degree burns,tearing the skin and flesh appart, revealing the bone beneath."That's it! said Titi's father,Chief Accra."No more treatment lest my daughter die''.

So Titi,who once danced before crowds, had to rely on the mercy of others to take her from one place to another, a service that was done infrequently because of the humiliation that she suffered at the hands of passersby,her neighbours,friends and even some family members.''Ukpolo (lame)" Some taunted ,"dance for us,"others teased.Yet some sympathised with Titi herself for her lameness."What could you have done to bring this type of illness upon you?'' they asked.Titi just cried, so her parents had to protect her from public view for the sake of her emotions.

After many years, Titi was tired of staying inside the house. "Take me outside" she pleaded."I want some fresh air.'' Her family complied, and as usual,people teased her again.Then came a man:"Hello," he said.

''Hello," Titi responded.

"Why," the man said. "I'm older than you. Don't respond to me sitting down.Greet me in the proper African way with one knee on the ground.''

'I can't ,'' Titi responded. ''I'm crippled.''

"No you are not. You can walk.Now get up and walk!''

Titi slowly stood up and began to walk, and then to run and to shout for joy.

Thinking she was being taunted, her family rushed out and saw Titi jumping around.he told them her story, but the man had disappeared. Over the following years,Titi gave birth to six more children, and so Titi ,my mother walks to this day.

BY PATIENCE TURTOE-SANDERS

TO BE CONTINUED