Dakop Longret Titus is a lady with visual impairment from Mangu Helle in Mangu local government of Plateau state. She is from a family of seven children, three males and four females. She is still single and she lost her sight in the year 2011. Before this year, she had no experience of any challenges with her eyes.
She was a student of Federal College of Education (FCE) Pankshin, reading Social Studies Double Major, when she lost her sight. Before she went to FCE Pankshin, she had her primary and secondary education at LGEA primary school Mangu Helle, and Government Secondary School Mangu Helle in Mangu local government respectively.
While, in Federal College of Education Pankshin, one day she discovered that she cannot see within a very short time.
In her conversation with Bulus Bala Izang and Joshua Yenle, she spoke about how she copied after her lost of sight and the attitude of people towards her thereafter.
TQM. Were you taken to Hospital for medical attention?
Yes, l was taken to Sabon layi Hospital in Mangu. After staying there for a month, , the Doctors told me, that medically, l have become blind and there is nothing they can do to help my sight, but they advice me to go to my pastor for divine intervention.
TQM. From that time to date, have you experience any change of attitude from members of your family, because of your disability?
I would not say change of attitude as such, but lack of understanding. I find it difficult to do the things, that l use to do and when l seek help from members of family, they are usually not willing to offer such help. May be because, they think l am pretending. But my Dad, assist me and he still does.
TQM. What about people in your community, any change of attitude or discrimination?
Yes, some of them don’t show understanding and help. For example, there was a time, l was going to hair saloon, and l lost my way or l thought, l lost my way, and I ask a lady to, please direct me to the saloon, rather than directing me, she started laughing at me, she laugh so much that, l became provoked, even if can’t believe that, l have now become blind. l feel, she should not have laughed at me the way she did. While she was still laughing, the owner of the saloon heard and came out, and lead me by the hand to her saloon.
TQM. Were you able to go back to complete your education at Federal College of Education (FCE) Pankshin?
No, l was not able to do that. I really would want to do that, but l lack orientation and the finance to do so.
TQM. Are you able to find something to do of financial value that will be earning you income?
For now no. I tried keeping piglets, but they all died, it discouraged me, and adding to that, l lack financial strength to start something again. And no one, either from my family or outside, for now, have come to my assistance.
TQM. Miss. Dakop, you can use this opportunity to appeal for assistance.
I am appealing for assistance from the government and other individuals to come to my assistance, so that, l can start something on my own. This could be, either, orientating me to doing something, or financing me to go back and finished my school. In a way, l need your assistance to get my life back together again. Thank you.
TQM. What are your parents doing for a living?
My father is a retired teacher. And my mother is late.
My father is the only one that is assisting me with things.
TQM. We at TQM wish luck and the best in life.
Ans. Thank you.
