Patience Samuel Gumap is a lady with visual disability from Mangu local government of Plateau state. Her parents are retired teachers. She is from family of six.
This beautiful single lady was within one week of age when she had eyes problem which resulted into lost of sight when she was at the age of ten months, She have had eyes surgery to correct the the problem, as a result she gained partial sight up to 2011, when she lost her sight completely.
In an interview with Bulus Bala Izang and Joshua Yenle, she talked about her vocation, the need for government to come and assist, and her rights.
TQM. Were you privileged to have formal education?
Yes, l was. I went to School for the blind children Gindiri, here in Mangu local government of Plateau state. After that, l then went to Vocational training center for the blind, Zawan in Jos south local government of Plateau state. I also attended Center for the blind, lkeja in Lagos state.
TQM. What are doing for a living now?
I make liquid soap, Vaseline, bake cakes, chin chin and other flour products for sale.
TQM. Do people patronize your products, despite the fact that you are a person with visual disability?
The patronage is low, but l don’t think its because of my disability, but because, of the area l am staying in, its way outside Mangu town and generally market demand for any products are low.
TQM. What is the level of discrimination in your family and the community, as a result of your disability?
I don’t face any discrimination with these aspect of my life.
TQM. What about the abuse of your rights because of your disability, any experience?
Yes, l have experienced this. I use to operate a provision shop, some dishonest people, repeatedly come in the name of buying something, they will give me a certain money note and say its a higher denomination, which is not, and because, l cannot see, l end up parting with items and money in the name of giving them, a supposed change of their money. That is how lost that business.
TQM. What did you do with such people?
I did nothing, What could l have done? Its their words against mine. And l cannot prove my claim. I only get to discover the deception, after they have left and someone else come in much later.
I just leave everything in the hands of God.
TQM. Are you aware of Institutions that the governments have put in place to help protect the rights of persons with disabilities?
Yes, l am.
TQM. Can you mention the one at the state level?
Yes, in Plateau state, we have the Plateau state Disability Rights Commission.
TQM. Will you access these institutions, should you right be abused?
I think so.
TQM. As a lady with disability, what would be your appeal to the government or private individuals, in terms of assisting you?
I am calling for some financial assistance to increase my business and to rent a shop where l will be making and selling my products, it will go along way in increasing my income generation. Because, l am now doing everything at home and its not conducive.
TQM. Thank you for your time.
