Renowned Nigerian fashion designer and stylist, Toyin Lawani, has revealed her two-year battle with paralysis, sharing her deeply personal journey of pain, resilience, and recovery.
In an emotional Instagram post, Lawani recounted how she was bedridden for six months during her struggle with Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), a spinal condition that caused her severe and persistent pain. Despite the debilitating experience, she said she remained determined not to let her condition define her life.
“There was a time when movement seemed impossible,” she wrote. “But each small step forward is a testament to my don’t-give-up spirit.”
Lawani, who is widely known for her bold fashion statements and entrepreneurial drive, reflected on her ordeal, noting how every smile, movement, or stretch is still accompanied by pain—but also powered by perseverance. She said quitting was never an option.
The celebrity stylist described how she continues to follow her neurosurgeon’s recommendations, opting for minimal workouts while avoiding heavy lifting and sit-ups to protect her spine. “Good to be out of the body brace for a while,” she noted, highlighting her desire not to return to being bedridden.
Still recovering, Lawani said her body remains swollen in places but that she remains focused on healing. She urged others facing chronic pain or physical challenges to stay strong and push forward.
“To anyone going through pain right now—you have to fight it,” she encouraged. “Don’t let it dictate your life. Show out and show up when you need to.”
This candid revelation follows Lawani’s previous warnings to expectant mothers about the risks of epidurals—another insight gained from her health experiences.
The 41-year-old entrepreneur is the founder of Tiannah’s Place Empire and has long been celebrated for her resilience, creativity, and unapologetic voice on personal and societal issues.
