Ejiro Sharon Okotie celebrates 42th birth to reflect her journey of life by launching a book, “Beyond The Darkness.”
It is a journey from loss to purpose. What began as a presumed recovery from malaria became a life altering diagnosis. Overnight, an 11-year-old Ejiro lost her sight to Cerebrospinal Meningitis. It was as if the end had come. Yes, within that breaking point, something unexpected emerged – a transformative strength. Blinded at 11, Ejiro rebuilt her life with tenacity, earning a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Diplomacy and three master’s degrees, with the most recent in Marriage and Family Therapy. Today, she is a Counsellor, Development Professional and a Gender, Disability, and social Inclusion (GeDSI) expert. A Mandela Washington Fellow and Chevening Alumnus.
According to her, this book is more than a story or survival. “Through raw reflection and lived experience, it reveals that resilience is not a gift you are born with; it is forged in life’s hardest seasons. From navigating blindness in a sighted world to founding a nonprofit reaching thousands across Nigeria, the narrative offers both unflinching honesty and practical hope”.
“For anyone carrying loss, uncertainty, or invisibility, and for parents and caregivers of individuals with disabilities, this book offers companionship, courage, and clarity. Because even in the deepest darkness, your light has not gone out, it is simply waiting to shine.
Ejiro, while appreciating those who came to celebrate with her said, “My life is a product of grace. People offer me help even before I ask. I couldn’t have achieved it alone without the help of those around me”.
