Coping with physical disabilities in a dignified way

By Naomi Sharang

Undoubtedly, any disability, whether physical, mental or psychological, is by all means a harrowing experience to the victim.

For instance, those suffering from one form of physical disability or the other often lament that their condition has deprived them of getting involved in many socio-economic and cultural activities within their society.

Persons with physical disabilities include the blind, the cripple, the deaf and dumb and lepers, among others.

Medical experts said that disability can be physical, mental and sensory, adding that the forms of disability can be total or partial.

They add that the disability can also be as a result of congenital defects, infection or accidents.

Mohammed Mohammed, an official of the Kubwa Branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), said that he became physically deformed due to a polio attack he had in his childhood days in Kano State.

Mohammed, however, refuses to be deterred by his physical condition, as he often displays unusual dexterity in the way he handles his assignments near the pedestrian bridge on the Kubwa expressway, to the admiration of passers-by.

He is usually seen by the bridge beckoning to commuters to board vehicles and ironically, he always gets appreciable response from the commuters.

“There is ability in disability; as a person, you must be determined to work to earn a living. I cannot fold my arms just because I am a cripple and say that I will not work.

“Yes, I am a cripple but I am not crippled in other parts of my body. I can see, think and navigate my way to make a legitimate living for my upkeep and those of my dependants,” he said.

Mohammed does not hide his hatred from begging, as he advises others living with physical disabilities to shun begging and look for dignified ways of earning a living.

His words: ``It is more honourable to have a legitimate means of livelihood than begging for alms on the streets.

``A person with physical disability can learn one kind of trade or the other which will make him or her self-reliant.'’

Mohammed is not alone in the group of persons with physical disabilities who are desirous of making it in life through sheer determination and hard work.

Stella Amauche, another person living with physical disability, shares a similar viewpoint with Mohammed.

Amauche, who reportedly became crippled as a child because of polio infection, says that even though she is not happy about her physical condition, she gladly earns a living by selling phone recharge cards at a spot in the Area 10 neighbourhood of Abuja.

She insists that the trade in recharge cards remains the best option for her, under the current circumstances, instead of begging for charity.

Amauche, a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt, concedes that she likes what she does for a living, adding that she intends to expand her business in the nearest future.

She, however, appealed to the three tiers of government to come to the aid of persons living with disabilities, as part of efforts to make life meaningful for them.

Amauche said that such assistance can be in the form of soft loans to enable them to embark on viable economic activities or establish small-scale establishments.

Sharing similar sentiments, Ahmadu Mohammed, a person living with physical disability, insists that a person's physical state does not necessarily dictate his or her ability to do work and survive.

``Once the mind is sane, a person should be able to think of what to do and not just to beg for alms on the streets,'' he says.

Positioned at the popular Berger Junction in Abuja city-centre, Ahmadu sells writing materials and he receives a lot of patronage from people who throng the area.

He said that he has been using his proceeds from the business to take care of his wife and child for over two years.

He, nonetheless, called on government and other relevant organisations to increase their assistance to persons with disabilities.

All the same, the 2011 World Report on Disability said that not less than 25 million Nigerians live with disabilities, with 3.6 million of them having very significant difficulties in functioning.

In appreciation of the challenges facing people with disabilities, the United Nations (UN) designated December 3 every year as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities to focus on issues affecting this group of persons worldwide.

The UN General Assembly, via a resolution, proclaimed the annual observance of the Day in 1992, saying: “The Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

“It also seeks to increase awareness of the gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.'’

The theme of last year's celebration was “Sustainable Development: The Promise of Technology”.

The theme focused on the role of technology in efforts to break the barriers facing persons with disabilities and how to make devices to become faster, cheaper and more accessible.

Speaking on the plight of persons with disabilities, Hajiya Zainab Maina, the former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, said: ``Disability and its attendant consequences have remained one of the major challenges that threaten human existence.”

She emphasised that considerable global attention has been drawn to the issues affecting persons with disabilities, particularly through the declarations of the United Nations (UN).

Maina said that the Federal Government's signing and ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007 and 2010 confirms its commitment towards the development, care and welfare of persons with disabilities.

She said further that the government, through the ministry, has distributed aids and appliances to persons with disabilities; as part of efforts to assuage their plight and improve their well-being.

“We have also expanded the empowerment programmes put in place for persons with disabilities,'' she added.

Maina, however, called on Nigerians to promote the interests of persons with disabilities, as part of the country's transformation process.

She particularly underscores the need to open all doors of opportunities to persons with disabilities and empower them in efforts to build an inclusive society.

All in all, concerned observers insist that pragmatic efforts should be made to accord persons with disabilities their rights and privileges in the society so as to enable them to live meaningful lives.

Source: NAN

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