It was joy, excitement, and praises in the air on Saturday 5th December, 2020 in Abuja as Barrister Florence Marcus celebrated 32 years of her amputation.
In her emotional speech, she narrated how life was amazing as a child in the midst of lovely parents and family members before fortunately and unexpectedly as she described it happened on 28th November, 1988.
According to her, that day commenced with a beautiful journey involving her sister with her 3 months son and other passengers in a commercial vehicle travelling from Zaria to Kaduna.
“In as much as I didn’t foresee the accident of November 28th, I also didn’t imagine another day, December 5th, 1988. A day that put the first question mark on my little and rising destiny, a day I didn’t see ahead of time, a day that was not in the family health budget, a day that hope became a question. I am talking of one of the faithful days God created.”
She said that December 5th, 1988 turned out to be the day she had to part with one of her beautiful legs after spending 7 days on hospital bed. It was done on her that her leg was amputated and her identity changed.
As days goes by, hope came alive especially when she encounter Jesus Christ and since then she has seen some beautiful days/moments of her life, days of going to school, days of graduation and the day of her call to bar and many other beautiful days. She came to realize that in the midst of crisis, Chris Jesus will always find way to crown those who believe in him.
She informed that her experience gave birth to an organization known as the Amputee Coalition of Nigeria(ACON) which has become a wonderful platform where other survivors come together to keep hope alive, amplify their voices through advocacy and provide support system to different categories of people in their communities, families and society at large.
She concluded by ascribing the day to God and building hope for all through sharing of inspiring stories, giving thanks to God and keeping the hope alive.
The event also witnessed friends and well-wishers describing Florence as a kind hearted person inspite of her condition, a dogged fighter, a selfless leader, a motivator and many other exciting words used to described Florence in a day she called 32nd Ampuversary( Celebration of Florence Marcus) Living A life of hope in times of crisis.
Some other amputee shared their experiences as they describe the situation as one that should not pose barrier to anybody. A lot of amputees have live beyond amputation and they are doing created things and Florence Marcus is a living example so get up that your sorry /pitiable state and get to work.
TQM felicitated with Florence Marcus as she aspire for great things in life.
Some TQM shots at the event
