Getting married is one of the most exciting and life-changing experiences that a person can go through. It is a commitment to love, support, and grow together. For many, it is a dream come true; however, for some, the road to marriage can be a bit more complicated, like the digital creators Seyi and Abisola Shof. The Shofs are more than just your average married social media influencer – they are also a source of inspiration for couples everywhere. There’s one thing – they were so close to not getting married because they discovered that they both had the sickle cell trait (SCT).
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that affects almost 10% of African Americans. A person may inherit the sickle cell gene from one of their parents, resulting in the trait but not the disease.
Seyi and Abisola got tested for sickle cell when they were young, as is common in Nigeria, where they grew up. Seyi always knew he had the sickle cell trait, but Abisola’s results got mixed up, and she grew up thinking she was in the clear. A few years into dating, they both got tested again just to be sure, and that was when they found out that Abisola also was a carrier of the sickle cell trait, which meant that each of their future children had a one in four chance of being born with the sickle cell disease.
This news was a significant test in their relationship, as they had to decide whether to stay together and consider options for having healthy children or going their separate ways. Seyi and Abisola faced additional challenges as they had to convince their families that they had done their research and were making the right decision by choosing to be together.
After much research and prayers, Seyi and Abisola ultimately chose to get married because the duo knew they were right for each other. They decided that they would adopt or do an in vitro fertilization with a pre-genetic diagnosis (IVF/PGD) process when they were ready to have children. But fate had a different plan for them.
Now, Seyi and Abisola have two healthy children and are using their experiences to educate others about the risks of sickle cell and how to prevent it, first by getting tested as soon as possible and second, by exploring other options such as adoption, IVF/PDG, and even not having any kids at all.
They decided to make an informative series on their YouTube channel to raise awareness about sickle cell prevention. They also inspire other couples to live and love with all their might daily, no matter what challenges come their way. Follow The Shofs on social media to see how they’re making the most of every moment together and spreading joy and love to others.
