Although mentally challenged, love brought 28-year-old Deborah Opeyemi and 37-year-old Adeniyi Adebayo together in a strange place. They met in a nunnery and the meeting later transformed into a colourful wedding ceremony on June 25, 2011 at The Apostolic Church, Ipetumodu, Osun State.Stricken by measles at birth, Opeyemi did not walk until she was eight. Opeyemis father and head, The Apostolic Church, Alagunodo, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Pastor Oladehinde Peter and his wife, Caroline, a trader, took the plight of their daughter in their stride. For Adebayo, his road to mental challenge began at infancy when he was stricken by measles. Like Opeyemi, some of Adebayos senses such as reasoning and speech were affected by the disease.While Adebayo is from Ile Arojo in Ipetumodu, Osun State, Opeyemi is from Abeokuta, Ogun State.Recalling her daughters illness, Caroline said, Shortly after her birth, she was stricken by measles and was unable to walk until she was eight years. We were at a revival when we were serving at Mobi, Adamawa State, when she suddenly got up and walked. She could not talk until her case was taken up by the reverend sisters at St. Marys Rehabilitation and Development Centre, Ipetumodu. She learnt soap making at the centre and graduated in 2005 after two years. We later discovered that although she was good at the skill, she was not good at monitoring the sales. She was being cheated.We then sent her back there for further training. On her return to the centre, she was given a speech therapy to improve her speech deformity.Speaking with PUNCH METRO, Adebayo said, The sisters at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Hospital, Ipetumodu, used to send me on errands to their quarters.I met Opeyemi on one of such occasions. I told her I loved her and would like to marry her. She asked me whether I was married and I said no. Luckily, I was transferred to the quarters the next day and I used the opportunity to solidify our relationship. I proposed to her and she said she would give me a reply later. I did a follow up the next day and she gave her consent. I was employed by the hospital in 2009.The hospital needed a gardener and I submitted an application. I was given the job in May 2009. I was initially placed on a N8, 000 monthly salary, which was later increased to N10,500. My salary has been increased periodically since I was employed. I attended Apostolic Grammar School, Ode-Omu. I couldnt continue after JSS III due to financial constraint.Recalling how they met, Opeyemi said, I met Ade when I was working as a domestic employee in the hospital. He professed his love to me but I was very skeptical because I did not want to disappoint my parents and the Catholic sisters, who have so much trust and confidence in me. I told him I was going to tell my parents and the Catholic sisters, whom I owe my development to.A group within Osogbo Catholic Diocese, Daughters of the Holy Spirit, which manages the centre, is being coordinated by Rev. Sister Elizabeth Kehinde. The reverend sister said, Opeyemi reported to me that a man proposed to her. I advised her to inform her mother of the development. I also advised her to pray about it. We later invited the parents of Adebayo to ask them about his seriousness.The couple has rented an apartment in Ipetumodu and they have started their family life. Opeyemi makes soap and helps the sisters in their domestic work.Both husband and wife said their plan is to have three kids that they would raise in the path of the Lord.A Public Health Physician, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Prof. Adedeji Onayade, described measles as a highly contagious disease among children. He, however, explained that once vaccinated, babies would forever never be afflicted by the disease.Psychiatrist, Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Dr. Adeoye Oyewole, said the first three months was the most delicate and most vulnerable during pregnancy.He said, If a pregnant woman has measles, it can affect the baby. Measles is a viral infection which negates cell division. The virus affects the development of brain cells which are the most vulnerable.It could be that the mothers of Opeyemi and Adebayo were afflicted by measles during pregnancy. However, measles infection is not genetic. This means that the couple will give birth to normal babies. The lesson here is that pregnant women should have immunisation.
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