He’ll never forget the pandemic
COVID-19 has forever impacted the life of Muamba and his family
The COVID-19 pandemic has forever left its mark on Montreal Alouettes linebacker Hénoc Muamba and his family.
Muamba’s mother-in-law, Elizabeth Tweneboah, died in June after contracting the novel coronavirus. She was 66.
That resulted in Muamba and his wife, Jessica — who’s expecting their second child any time now — becoming the primary caregivers for Muamba’s 27-year-old sister-in-law, Joyce, who has some disabilities and endured mental-health issues.
The pandemic also cost Muamba, 31, financially as the Canadian Football League didn’t play last year. But that certainly pales in comparison to what Muamba — who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and raised in Mississauga — and his family continue to deal with.
“It’s definitely challenged all of us to grow in many ways ... and rethink our times together,” Muamba said in a phone interview. “One of the things my wife and I have been intentional about, as of late, is just being present in the moment.
“You never know how fleeting life is and I think it’s a great reminder of not only being present in each moment that you spend with loved ones but also just remembering those people.”
Muamba’s mother- and sisterin-law both lived downstairs in the family’s Brampton, Ont., residence.
Muamba said Tweneboah began suffering body aches initially before the family took her to hospital as a precaution.
But, upon arrival, Tweneboah was admitted immediately. On the same day, the Muambas learned they’d be having a second child.
Hénoc Muamba said, while Tweneboah was a diabetic, she’d shown no signs of being ill.
“She’d been healthy, strong,” he said. “She’d had her business (beauty supplies store) and even after that she was doing things, she never liked staying still.
“She was just an entrepreneur at heart ... she’d always be talking about it and we’d laugh and tell her, ‘Man, you have to learn how to rest,’ and she’d say, ‘What do I need to rest for? I have a lot of energy and I’m going to continue doing this.’ ”
But Muamba said, after a few days in hospital, Tweneboah was put on a ventilator. She died roughly two weeks after being admitted.
Muamba, his wife, and sisterin-law all underwent COVID-19 testing. While Muamba’s result was negative, his wife and sister-in-law were both positive, but they’re fine now after following quarantine protocols.
However, family couldn’t visit Tweneboah in hospital.
“That was extremely difficult,” Muamba said. “But we’re a family of faith and I think that’s one of the things that’s really been our backbone and kept us strong.
“But the passing of my mother-in-law may change a lot for me and my family because her presence was a big reason why I was able to practically play football anywhere in Canada. I knew my wife and daughter were in very, very good hands. There’s nothing like a mother’s help and that gave me great peace playing in Montreal and leaving my family here.”
Muamba said Tweneboah packed a lot of living into her 66 years.
“She was an amazing woman who impacted so many people and I don’t just say that because of the circumstances,” he said. “She was originally from Ghana and was a pillar of the Ghanaian community.
“She’s one of six (kids) and was always thinking about one of her siblings or close friends. She’d go grocery shopping for her friends or get their medicine all the time..”
But Tweneboah’s passing also meant Muamba and his wife became responsible for his sister-in-law’s care. She was born with Retinopathy of Prematurity — an eye ailment — and cognitive developmental delay (a condition where intellectual function and adaptive behaviour are significantly below the expected average for their age).
She also has a learning disability and the early onset of psychosis, which affects how the brain processes information.
“And, despite all that, she’s still functioning and thriving,” Muamba said proudly. “She’s in college and just finished her last semester and is on to the next one. I’m actually challenging her to write a book because I think people need to hear her story. She needs to talk about her story just to provide inspiration, not only to those around her but the world.”
And, in honour of her mother, Muamba’s wife has applied to medical school.
“That was one of the last conversations my wife had with her mother and she encouraged my wife and told her she should do it if that’s what she wanted to do,” Muamba said.
“One of the stories my wife brings up is she was still feeling nauseous but had to write an exam and said, ‘I don’t know how to do this. What if I throw up?’ ” he added.
“Me just being the person I am, I told her, ‘OK, bring a bag and if you throw up, just continue writing.’ She said, ‘You’re right,’ and ended up going. The amount of inspiration and motivation right in front of my eyes has been extremely heartfelt and amazing but we’re all drawing from the strength of my mother-in-law’s life.”
That matter-of-fact approach has served the six-foot 230pound Muamba well in football. The top defensive player in Canadian university football in 2010, the former St. Francis Xavier star is entering his 10th pro season and has played on both sides of the border.
In ’19, he was the CFL’S top Canadian.