Veteran Nollywood actor Chidi Mokeme recently opened up about his challenging journey with Bell’s Palsy, a condition that left half of his face paralyzed.
In a heartfelt statement, Mokeme described his initial shock and fear when he first encountered symptoms of the condition.
“I began noticing some changes a long time ago,” Mokeme shared, “but one morning I woke up to my phone ringing. I wanted to reach out and pick it up, but I realized I couldn’t. I literally couldn’t move. It was quite scary.” Mokeme recalls calling out for his wife, who immediately rushed to his side, fearing he might have suffered a stroke. “She called an ambulance, and I was rushed to the hospital. Thank God I was in the United States at the time,” he added.
After undergoing tests, doctors diagnosed Mokeme with Bell’s Palsy, a condition that affects the facial nerves and leads to muscle weakness or paralysis on one side of the face.
For Mokeme, this meant stepping away from his acting career temporarily to focus on recovery.
Mokeme expressed gratitude for his eventual return to acting, particularly for his role in the series Shanty Town, which marked his comeback.
“It meant so much to me to be able to come back and play my role,” he said, underscoring his commitment to his craft despite the health obstacles he has faced.
Bell’s Palsy is a condition that, while often temporary, can be physically and emotionally challenging.
Mokeme’s openness about his experience brings awareness to the disease and highlights the resilience required to overcome such personal battles.
