Buki Elegbede
- Tv Host | Journalist
- Founder Of Once Upon A Dream Productions
Buki Elegbede was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 15. Confused as to what was happening to his body, it would take Buki a few years before truly understanding why his physique was rapidly changing the way it did.
After conducting substantial self-research, Buki slowly started to understand why his body didn’t look like the other kids.
“The one thing I did know was I would never be the same again.”
Not only did Buki feel insecure and different from everyone else at his school, but he also felt alienated as he was reminded everyday of just how much he did not have: money, access, friends and connections.
Although Buki underwent surgery 15 years ago, the journey has not been a smooth one. Keeping a positive attitude towards his body image has not been easy due to Buki having to spend a lot of time in front of the camera in pursuit of his passion and dreams. Having the true heart of a warrior, Buki doesn’t allow anything to come in between his goals and aspirations, and truly believes that the diagnosis and surgery have made him even stronger and have given him the courage to survive in the media industry.
“The hardest obstacle I’ve had to overcome is letting go of what could have been, should have been, and would have been without this diagnosis.”
Despite the uphill battle with scoliosis, nothing has stopped Buki from thriving in life and doing what he loves most. Currently, Buki runs his own production company titled, “Once Upon A Dream”. He produces his own content, which has won many awards as well as winning the “Create Cooking Challenge”. Buki continues to tirelessly pursue owning and running his own future media empire.
“Everything you are going through today is going to make you the person you were destined to be tomorrow.”
Today Buki makes sure he remains active and sharp by working out several times a week, as well as making room for meditation and prayers every single day. These routines keep him strong both mentally and physically, as he reminds himself daily to not let scoliosis limit anything he strives for. Alongside his mental and physical practices, Buki makes sure there is room for both cooking and baking. In this time he produces his own 10-episode cooking series, “Baked By Buki”.
Buki hopes that his fight through scoliosis can show others that only the sky is the limit. He sees himself advocating for scoliosis awareness the best way he knows how to, which is through creating content and telling incredible stories to put faces to the diagnosis
“What I have come to learn and what I hope others will learn is that their condition is not the sum total of who they are. It’s just a small part of the incredible, strong, magnanimous individuals they were destined to be.
As a charismatic young man, Buki’s advice to others who have been diagnosed is to take a deep breath. Only after that should they do as much research as possible. Buki believes that this will not only let you take control over your condition, but it will properly prepare and ready you for the doctor’s office when it comes time to talk about all the different treatments.
“This diagnosis does not and will not define them or their lives. Everything they want to do and need to do, they still can do.”
