Mary Joseph is a married woman and a mother of two children, a person with physical disability from Garkawa town in Mikang local government of Plateau state. She was born into a family of six children. She is the last born of the family and the only one with disability and she had disability at a tender age as a result of polio.
In this interview with our correspondents Bulus Izang and Joshua Yenle, when they were at Mikang Local Government for TQM interaction with persons with disabilities at the local communities as part of TQM’s Connecting Our Voices To The World supported by Oxfam Voice, she talked about challenges taking care of her family as person with disability.
TQM. Tell us a little about your education background?
I did not have the opportunity to be in school, not even primary school. Because, my parents died before I could start school, I was not as luck as my other siblings who were in school before our parents passed on.
TQM. What is the story of your children schooling?
Two of them are in school.
TQM. Who is responsible for the payment of their school fees?
I and my husband, we do joined hands to pay for our children’s education.
TQM. Is your husband a person with disability?
He does not have disability.
TQM. Has your right as a human being been abused at home or in the society because of your disability?
Yes, in our extended family when something is there for us to share, they usually would want to exclude me and when they share with me, they give me, that which is considered less useful to them.
TQM. What do you do when you are treated in this way?
I do protest that kind of behavior, but to me the harm has already been done, for them to treat me like, I am less than a human being.
TQM. What work are you engaged in to earn a living?
I used to sale provisions but the current economic difficulty has force me out of business
TQM. Have you ever received any financial assistance form either the government or individuals towards sustaining your business?
No.
TQM. What call of assistance or help would you make to the government or individuals?
The government should help me with money towards my trading business. I would like to venture into poultry if I have the means to do so.
TQM. Thank you for the privilege you have granted us.
You are welcome.
