Grace Dalla is woman with disability from Jos North local government of Plateau State.
This single young lady lost her left hand through amputation when she was six months ago as a result of sickness.
“I became an amputee as a result of sickness, when I was six months old child, l became sick, which affected my hand, and as a result the hand started shrinking. My parents thought it is best to seek remedy in traditional medicine. But at a time, my condition got worst. This made my parents to take me to the Hospital, where they were told that they came late for my hand to be saved, and if the hand is not amputated, it could lead to my death” she explained.
In her chat with our correspondent Bulus Bala Izang, she spoke about his education and life challenges ranging from his relationship, employment opportunity and business.
TQM. Were you privileged to go to have formal education?
Yes, l was privileged to have formal education and l have God and my parents to be thankful for that.
I attained Chalyap Primary school Nasarawa gwong and Government Secondary school Gangare all in Jos North local government of Plateau State. After that, l went to Plateau state polytechnic for Diploma in Account and Audit and Higher National Diploma in Accounting. I was also privileged to have a Diploma in Computer Application.
For now, that is my educational record.
TQM. Base on your narration, you had early disability. How has life been with you, as a person with disability from childhood?
Actually at first, l did not find things easy, but glory be to God, later on my life, l pick up, and l am now doing well. There are few things that l cannot do, things like fetching water from the well and other things that required two hands to carry.
TQM. What are you doing for a living?
I am working at the Palace of His Royal Highness, The Ujah Anaguta Jos as a secretary.
But before now, l worked with Inclusive Friends, l left there and started a beauty and hair dressing saloon, but have to close up that business, because, the persons l employed to run the saloon, undermine my effort and run down my business.
I am planning of going into boutique business, if I get the money. Unlike the way I ran the saloon, l will be doing the selling myself in the boutique.
TQM. Talking about money, Have you ever enjoyed any grant or loan from the government or individuals to run your business?
No, I have not. Maybe because I have not applied for it.
TQM. You are a left hand amputee, working as a secretary. How have you been coping with your task?
God have been my strength, l have been doing my work successfully.
TQM. You are not yet married, as a lady and a person with disability. How is relationship like between you and the opposite sex?
Men have been coming for a relationship, but some are not truthful about it, some are just coming to take advantage of me and my condition, while others are honest.
Those that are not honest normally come at night and would not want to be seen with me in the day time, once l notice such, l walk out of such relationship.
TQM. Do you see such attitude as discriminatory, because of your disability?
Yes, why would a man who says, he is in love with you and yet would not want to be seen with you?
TQM. The world just marked Violence against Women’s Day. As a lady and a person with disability, have you suffered any gender based violence in your life?
I thank God for his mercy, l have not experience that.
TQM. Away from opposite sex relationship, What about discrimination because of disability from the society, school or work place?
I have been discriminated by people on account of my disability. From a far, People would like me, but when they come close and find out that, l have one hand, they usually draw back. Some later on would come and we become good friends, while some would not.
Some persons would not even consider me because of my disability.
TQM. What would be your parting words?
Government should give more grants to persons with disabilities to enable them establish businesses and people should not be discriminating against persons with disabilities. We are human being like other persons.
TQM. Thank so much for sharing your time and story with us.
You are welcome
