We are putting up the final Episode of the Series and it is a story that points
decisively towards overcoming obstacles and Challenges.
Read on below;
My name is Michael Adeyemi, I'm a 31 year old polio survivor who has been on axillary crutches for 27 years, I graduated from the University of Jos with a bachelor's degree in Medicine and Surgery in 2015 and recently concluded my National Youth Service after one year of housemanship.
My story is a story of struggles and the determination to succeed in the face of my disability, the vicissitudes and the uncertainties of life.
I started my primary education at the age of 6, though I had gotten enrolled in nursery school some few months before I got down with what would later be referred to as acute flaccid paralysis resulting from poliomyelitis and my education was placed on hold temporarily.
Read Episode 4
The first few challenges I had initially were confinement and trying to get used to my new means of mobility, "using two wooden crutches", though helpful, was a burden.
I was that active child who all of a sudden could no longer play with his peers, I couldn't even sit up, growing up was tough and not fun; asides the fact that I could not participate in some activities such as playing soccer and riding bicycles which I loved, I was always cautioned out of pity whenever I tried to do any less stressful or more accommodating activities.
More depressing was when people saw me differently because I was on crutches. "In this part of the world, the society views people with disability as people who have little or no hope of achieving greatness, thus the tendency to look down on them easily instead of actually lending them a helping hand" I wasn't exempted from this!
I didn't attend any special school for the physically challenged and that has really helped me to face challenges and compete favourably with other people. Secondary school wasn't as challenging as the university and it was more fun, I had to do almost everything for myself when I got to the university, and yes, there were people who were willing to help at some point but there was a limit to what they would do for me especially when it interferred with their schedule.
Some of the challenges I overcame in medical school and during medical internship were standing for several hours to receive lectures especially in the crowded lecture halls in year 1, standing for as long as 3 to 4 hours to watch or assist in surgeries and do ward rounds, climbing stairs and several others but it never stopped me.
Episode 3
The greatest gift I have ever received is education and I really appreciate my wonderful mum for putting me in school against pleas from neighbours that it would be extremely distressing for me, although that wasn't borne out of bad intentions, the reason being that our country doesn't make provisions for the needs of the physically challenged and offer very few or no scholarship to encourage them to get educated or acquire skills. It is often true that life is very difficult for the average Nigerian, let alone the physically challenged.
My Message: Disability is in the mind, and the mind is the engine that propels the body. Even if you do not have education as a physically challenged person, one or two skills can help you succeed and lead a wonderful life. I draw and paint whenever I'm out of the hospital environment, a skill I developed in my university days.
I believe Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed; this opportunity comes just once. Never let your disability be an obstacle to achieving your dreams and living life to the fullest. Thank you.
Thanks for reading through please Share around with Families and friends, you could change and help a life.
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