Sati Simon is person with physical disability from Kanke local government of Plateau State. He became a person with disability in 2011 as a result of motorcycle accident which affected his left leg and left hand. Now, he walks with the aid of crutches.
He had a chat with our correspondents Bulus Bala Izang and Joshua Yenle where he told them about his life, what is doing and his challenges.
TQM. What work were you doing before the accident?
I was working as a civilian tailor on contract with the Nigerian Army.
TQM. What work are you doing now, after you became a person with disability?
I am still doing the tailoring but this time not with the Army, I have opened my own private tailoring shop.
Why did you go back to Tailoring?
I love Tailoring so much to the extent that if I have any of my limbs working, I will use it to sew. Disability can’t stand on the way of my passion.
TQM. The shop you are running your business in, is it a rented property?
It is a family property, which I don’t pay rent.
TQM. What happened between you and the Nigerian Army with regards to your contract work with them, after you became a person with disability?
I did not go back to them.
TQM. Were you privileged as a child to have formal education?
I schooled up secondary school level, I did my primary and secondary school at Army day primary and secondary school at Sobi barrack Ilorin in kwara state. While I was schooling, I was also engaged in learning the art of fashion designing.
TQM. Are you married?
Yes, I am married to a wife and we are blessed with a daughter.
TQM. Is your daughter schooling?
She is in school; she is now in Junior Secondary School class one.
TQM. Who is paying for her school fee?
1 and my wife are paying for her education.
TQM. As a person with disability, what are your experience in regards to abuse of your rights and discrimination?
People do discriminate against me, but that is an aspect of life that, I have for long adjusted to.
TQM. How do you respond to discrimination and abuse of your rights?
I put such matters in the hands of God.
TQM. Governments in various levels, have established bodies that are to help in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. Are you aware of these bodies?
Yes.
TQM. Have you ever received any assistance from anywhere to increase or run your business?
No.
TQM. Have you applied for such assistances?
Yes, but I was not successful.
TQM. Do you need assistance from government and members of the public in any way?
I am seeking for financial or material assistances, like sewing machine to better my business.
TQM. Thank you for sharing your time and story with us.
You are welcome.
