John Satmak Emmanuel, a person with physical disability, acquired disability at age of three years as a result of polio. He who hails from Pankshin Local Government of Plateau state lost his father at a tender age. He has two sisters and a brother. After his father demise, the mother took the responsibility of taking care of them from a petty trading.
In this interview conducted by our correspondent in Jos, Bulus Baba, who got him to discuss about his struggles.
TQM: What are you doing now?
I am an apprentice, learning how to repair handsets.
TQM. For how long have you been doing this?
This is my third year. I started with Oga Godwin. Last year, he introduced me to his brother Oga Joseph. That is where I am now.
TQM: You said, you have been learning this work for three years now, where you doing something before?
Yes, I was in school.
TQM: Can you tell a little about your educational life?
I started my primary school in Mangu local Government of Plateau state when I was about nine years. For my first year in school, my mother and other relations, will carry me on they back to and school. It was in the second year of my primary school, that a Tricycle was bought for me. That marked the time where I started going to school by myself.
After primary school, I went to Israel Victory College mile eight in Pankshin Local Government of Plateau state. From there, I proceeded to Baptist High school Parsat, still in Pankshin where I completed my secondary school Education.
After that, I stayed at home for some time not knowing what to do next.
It was at this stage, that the Church where I worship came to my rescue, after discussion with them, they took me to my first Oga, Oga Godwin to learn how to repair handsets, which I am now doing for about three years now.
TQM: After you finish handset learning, what would you do next?
I will open my own repair shop, make money and build a house, then I will marry.
TQM: I hope when the time for you to get marry, you will remember to invite Qualitative Magazine to come and celebrate with you?
(He smiles)
TQM. After all these, what next?
Nothing much.
TQM: You don’t want to go back to again school?
No, even when I was in primary and secondary school, my prayers just learn how to read and write. We don’t have money, so I have never dream of going beyond learning how to read and write.
TQM: You said earlier, the Church where you worship came to your rescue, how do access the Church to worship?
I don’t have problem with that, I go into the Church on my Tricycle.
TQM: What about other places, Like government offices, business centers, etc. Do you also enter such places on you Tricycle?
I don’t go too far places like that.
TQM: Why do you not go to such places?
Because, I have to go there by Taxi or bus, and to do that, I will have to be carried into and out of the Taxi or Bus. And Sometimes, they don’t want to carry my Tricycle.
TQM: Are You a member of organization of persons with disabilities? If yes, do go for their meetings?
No. I am not a member.
TQM: You don’t want to be part of them?
I would like to be part of them, but I don’t know where they are.
TQM: How do you get your Tricycle?
The first one my mother bought it for me, while the second one was given to me free, I was taken to a place in Pankshin, it was there that I was given the Tricycle.
TQM: What would you like to say to other people with Disability that are out there without doing something to earn a living?
I would say, if they can, they should get something doing to protect their interest no matter how little it may be.
TQM: Thank you Mr. John, for your time. We wish you the Very best in life.
