International Wheel Chair Day: “Anyone Can Use A wheelchair” _ Executive Director SDI

By Prosper Okoye –

The Strength In Disability Initiative (SDI) in collaboration with Comrade Mary Bosede Ojo, has today, distributed bags of rice to wheelchair users in Makurdi, in order to commemorate the United Nation’s International Wheelchair Day.

Speaking after the exercise, SDI Executive Director, Faith Yaasa, expressed the importance of the charity outing, to the community of wheel chair users:

“We have set aside today to celebrate the people using wheelchair in Benue state, and to share in their experiences, and to call on government and other stakeholders to remove the barriers, hindering them from accessing public and private opportunities which they ought to have access to.” She said.

Miss Faith also urged society to shun any form of discrimination against people using wheelchair:

“The society must begin to see people using wheelchair as normal persons.
“Wheelchair is something anybody can use, depending on the mobility need, at a particular time. People who use wheelchair should not be regarded as nonentities, they also have valuable things to contribute to our society.”

Some beneficiaries of the outreach who shared their socio-economic and political experiences, says using a wheelchair in the Nigerian society, comes with lots of challenges, and hinderances.

According to a male beneficiary, Peter Gwer:
“We are often perceived by society as people who are curse, and in need of religious miracle.”

While enumerating the barriers faced by persons with disability in the state; He noted that the environmental barrier is a predominant challenge.

“As wheelchair users, it seems the society expects little or nothing from us. So, when political and socio-economic structures are constructed, how we are to access these structures are not put into consideration.

He advised that such enviromental barriers can be removed by putting in place a lift, or ramp.
When this is put in place, he says: “we will go in, and function like every other person in that organization.”

He also decried the marginalization of people using wheelchair in the state executive and legislative positions, and appealled that some socio-political positions, should be reserved for persons with disabilities.

“We have a slogan: ‘There is nothing about us, without us.’ When decisions and policies are made for us, without us being there to say how such decisions affect us, at the end we will continue suffering.

“We have always been used as a tool for political campaigns in the state; after the elections, no person using the wheelchair has ever been given a Commissioner or Special adviser appointment.

“No person on wheelchair has emerged state governor or a legislative member. When ever we come out to contest for these positions, our condition is used to campaign against us.” Mr. Gwer said.

He further disclosed that the Benue state government is unwilling to listen to the plight of the person with disability . As the government has adamantly refused to domesticate the ‘National Disability Act’ in the state; despite the agitations and efforts made by the persons with disability union.”

The ‘National Disability Act’ is a national legislation meant to cater for the welfare of persons with disability . It provides for the establishment of a commission, where their challenges can be addressed.

Another beneficiary, Abraham Onojo, who according to him, became paralysed on his legs, after he fell from a tree, says using the wheelchair has not been easy.

“People look at my condition like it is the end of my life. I am father of two children and I’ve continued to achieve great things, that some men on their two feet, do not achieve.

Abraham says he is a shoe maker, but he lacks the financial ability to expand his trade.

“Let the government see the people on wheel chair as normal persons. And they should empower us financially.

“Most times they will buy wheelchair for a crippled person, and call it empowerment. This is not empowerment at all.”

Igbana Mathias another beneficiary, said he became crippled from polio when he was 2years old.
He said he was unhappy, as he does not have a job yet, despite that he has long graduated from school.

On the other hand, some beneficiaries who shared their experiences, said they have adjusted to their conditions. They acknowledged that the society has been fair towards them.

In the words of Susan Inakwu:
“Now i feel good about my condition, unlike the initial days when I feel discouraged.

“I have a different mentality about wheelchair. I see it as an assistive device that help me move around. I can go to anywhere in the world using it.

“I am celebrating International Wheelchair Day in style, I have been taking nice photographs and sharing on my social media platform. My friends and family have been celebrating with me, by liking my pictures and commenting.”

The legal adviser of SDI, Joseph Gbagyo, while speaking, encouraged the participants to be hopeful, and to always focus on the bright side of life.
First launched in 2008, International Wheelchair Day is celebrated every March 1 for wheelchair users to celebrate the impact their wheelchair has had on their lives.
Wooden wheelchair from 1930s, according to British blogger Steve Wilkinson, aka “WheelchairSteve,” who founded International Wheelchair Day, the purpose of the event is to:

Enable wheelchair users to celebrate the positive impact a wheelchair has in their lives.

Celebrate the great work of the many millions of people who provide wheelchairs, who provide support and care for wheelchair users and who make the world a better and more accessible place for people with mobility issues.

Acknowledge and react constructively to the fact there are many tens of millions of people in the world who need a wheelchair, but are unable to acquire one.