PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED AND FURTHER CHALLENGED: NIGERIA
An estimated 15 per cent of Nigerian
citizens are persons with disability (PWD).
Physical challenge connotes inability to perform particular activities
or a condition that makes it difficult for a person to perform some or all of
the basic daily tasks. This statistics above is of persons with “physical”
disability only, though there are other forms of disability.
In Nigeria, persons in this
category are viewed in stereotypical ways. They are often seen as beggars,
unfortunate and, wrongly enough, as lacking the capacity to be outstanding.
“Wrongly”, I say, because there is
no human on the earth’s surface born without a unique potential that could make
him useful to his world. That a physical disability has restricted a person in
some way is not reason enough to conclude that they are without worth.
However, it is pathetic that this
realization seems far from many of my
people. In some Nigerian cultures, people born with physical disabilities are
viewed as ‘cursed’. Sadly enough, even cultures which do not view them as such,
restrict their opinion of them to objects
of pity. Hardly are they ever seen as “good-for-something.”
Ever considered what the needs of disabled persons might be?
Interaction with persons in this
category will reveal that their thoughts and needs are not different from those
of every other person – even yours
(if you’re a physically fit person reading this). For young PWDs, the things they want in life and look forward to
in their future, are the same as those of their contemporaries – happiness,
acceptance, a meaningful occupation, confidence of others, fulfilling relationships,
independence, etc.
Ironically, the people around them
find it hard to see their real needs.
Research shows that, when it comes to what adolescents with disabilities want,
even their parents do not share most of their aspirations. And if those in
their closest circles of relationship cannot figure out their deepest cravings,
what about those who look from without?
Asked what comes first to their
minds when they come across PWDs, some able-bodied Nigerians respond that
“pity” is their first reaction. We look at these people and say, “Oh, how sad…
What would it be like if that was me? Thank God it’s not. Oh, how does he manage?”
But is that all we can really do for them – pity?
“There is ability in disability”,
they say. Without doubt, if physically challenged persons could be given the
necessary support, they could really contribute positively to society. Some of
them have already brought us a lot of pride in this country.
The late Dr. P.O. Mba was the first
deaf Nigerian to obtain a PhD degree; the President of the Joint Persons with
Disabilities, Danlami Basharu, is a lawyer with a Master’s degree from a top University
in the United Kingdom; Professor Chinua Achebe of blessed memory, who was the
recipient of so many international awards, had a disability in his lifetime;
talented music producer and singer, Cobhams Asuquo, is blind. We could go on
and on. Even in the 2012 London Summer Olympics, whereas our able-bodied
athletes brought home no medal at all, their Paralympian counterparts broke
four world records in power-lifting and also brought home 13 medals (six gold,
five silver, two bronze).
However, despite the aspirations of
the physically challenged young ones among us, when they look at the majority
of those ahead of them (adults with disability), they can almost tell what
awaits them – if there is no change.
The unending struggle for
acceptance, the societal discrimination they face (as though it were their
fault to have been in their condition) and even the fact that they do not get
the proper family love and attention that they should be entitled to, are all a
cause for worry.
Lack of access to qualitative
education is another challenge they face. I do not think it would be a sin if the government granted persons in
this category free education. And even the few schools available to them in the
country are ill-equipped, thus making it difficult for them to measure up to
their counterparts in other parts of the world, and even to their able-bodied
contemporaries in their society.
What about getting a good job?
Despite the educational challenges for PWDs in the country, many of them still
come out with outstanding results and certificates. But in the view of most
employers, they are burdens. Who then
will give them the job of their dreams, the jobs they deserve and have worked
hard academically to gain qualification for?
Getting access into public offices
like banks, hotels, offices located in story buildings, etc., is also a serious
challenge for some disabled persons. The complicated door systems and stairs
which have no provision for them make it very difficult for them to go in and
out of such places freely.
As mentioned earlier, they also want
fulfilling relationships, and marriage is one important aspect of this. But how
often do they get the kind of spouse they want? A disabled person would
naturally wish for an able-bodied mate, for many reasons. But in most cases, that’s
all it is – a wish (even though many disabled people have been trained to
manage their conditions so well that they do not constitute a burden to those
around them). In the end, many settle
for a mate that is also challenged as they are. I have seen so many deaf people
married to another deaf, but how rare to find a different situation.
Once, a distant cousin of mine
brought home a man who limps slightly, and introduced him as her “to-be.” I
tell you, it was no joke convincing the family to accept him as the one that
would take home their precious
daughter for life. I also know of
persons who, though were born physically fit, had some disability later in life
and lost their spouses as a result, when the latter could not “take it any
longer.”
Good health and recreational facilities
suitable for their conditions, are also not provided for. In fact, it seems
that the government, generally, has little or no plans for the physically
challenged in this country. Even laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act and the United Kingdom’s Disability Discrimination Act, which are meant to
protect the rights of the disabled are non-existent in our great nation.
You might like to see this video
showing a car made for disabled people (certainly in a country where the plight of the disabled is a concern)
What can we do?
The government has a great role to
play in providing adequate support for PWDs. Adequate education and health
facilities should be made available for them as well as other amenities to make
life more comfortable for these special ones amongst us.
Some of the equipment and
facilities that aid them like wheel chairs, hearing aids, etc., could also be
provided free of charge or at a highly subsidized rate so that no one is too hard up to afford them. Philanthropic
bodies and individuals have been helpful here, and I entreat you to do more.
There is also the need for adequate
training of their teachers so as to equip them with up-to-date teaching methods
for the young ones studying in the special schools. Learning facilities that
suit such schools must also be invested in by the government.
Furthermore, laws protecting the
rights of disabled persons in the Nigerian society must also be enacted. As
citizens of this good country – and special citizens at that – they deserve to
have good treatment and adequate attention so as to create an enabling
environment for them to live fulfilling lives.
It is also pertinent that
government as well as philanthropic organisations sensitise members of the
public on the need to offer assistance to physically challenged persons in the
society. They should embark on campaigns through various media to cause a
change of Nigerians’ orientation towards the physically challenged.
Parents/guardians too, must not
relent in providing adequate moral and financial support for their
children/wards who are physically challenged. This will help them rise above
their disability and view life positively, thereby unleashing their potential.
As a parent, it will also be helpful if you sought the services of professional
psychologists and social workers to help you with some guidance in handling
your special child.
Finally, you have a role to play.
Yes, you!
Every citizen of our good nation
must learn to offer a helping hand to the physically challenged. I tell you,
pity isn’t the best we can do. There is so much more. And I’m sure if you were
in their shoes you’d be happy to have others let their pity motivate them to support you however they can.
The government may not do
everything, but in your little way, you can chip in your own quota by showing
concern. For example, you could get close to a hearing-impaired person and
learn a bit of their language and culture so as to communicate a little more
than just the waving of hand; or the
next time you see a blind person trying to walk across the street, you could
offer to assist. Give it a try soon and you’ll see how gratifying it could be
even for you who did the good.
Let us end the discrimination and
make the physically challenged feel more comfortable in the world. Let us draw
them close and erase the impression that they can only relate freely with their kind. Let us show to them that humanity
isn’t against them for being how they are; that we believe in their potential
to do great; that they can aspire and achieve; that they too are important to
us.
We can make a difference!
LONG LIVE NIGERIA!
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