Greg Simon was born into the family of Late/Mrs Simon M. Kazashshim on 30th June, 1991 in Fadia Bakut at Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna state. He is the last born from his own mother in a polygamous home, his mother had Eight children, four of his siblings died so he was left with three siblings. Greg Simon a motivational speaker, a volunteer with Scott Foundation UK as a Disability inclusion coordinator and a humanitarian acquired his primary education at LEA Fadia Bakut, Zonkwa from 2000-2005, later he went to GSS Fadan Kaje in 2005 for his secondary education but he couldn’t cope as a result of his disability even though the school was special school. He was transferred to GSS Nassarawa Street, Kaduna where he obtained his SSCE in 2011. In 2015-2016, he was at Abubakar Tatari Ali polytechnic Abuja where he obtained an OND certificate in Mass Communication. He is currently planning to go back to school for higher degree certificate. He is also the founder of Ability Journey, an organization (not registered with CAC yet but at the process) designed to carry out humanitarian work for people with disabilities since 2017.
In this interview, Greg Simon shared with us his disability came about, how he overcame disability in the face of obvious challenges and his future plans.
Can you recall how your disability came about?
Hmmmmm I recalled even though it happened at my tender age of five. It is amazing that I still recalled that I was wearing yellow cardigan at the fateful day. Suddenly, I was sick, I was taken to the hospital after series of scans and diagnosis, my parents were told that I had polio. So, I am a polio survivor.
Are you facing any discrimination and stigmatization as a result of your disability?
Stigmatization, I will say no because I have built an image that nobody can look down on me. The discrimination I face is unfriendly environment all over Nigeria.
You said that you don’t face stigmatization because of the enviable image you have built for yourself, was there a time you faced stigmatization before this image that everyone now admires?
Yes, during my childhood, some of my peers were not allowed to play with me, also my days in the higher institution. My first two weeks, no student was closed to me, they all had fears that I may infect them with disability.
What then happened that made these students to change their attitude towards you?
‘He smiled’ I could remember one fateful day that our lecturer taught us the qualities of a good presenter. After the lecture, he asked that one student should summarize the lecture. Out of 350 students, I was the only one who could summarize the lecture. That was how my course mates came to realize that disability is not limitation. From that day, everybody wants to be my friend.
You said that you are a volunteer with Scott Foundation UK? A volunteer, not an employee, how are you surviving or is there any way you are being rewarded or is there other things you do to earn a living?
Some other NGOs do engage me for motivational public speech and I am being paid for that. I also do some little things and the NGOs I volunteered for, have been supportive.
Will it be impossible for you to share those little things you do?
Hahahahaha, I do some home lessons
Are you married or single?
‘Smile’ I am still single
Are you in a relationship?
Hahahaha…. For now, I keep my relationship secret.
How did you get her?
I am sorry my relationship is mute. At the right time, the world will know about it.
From your introduction, it was established that you acquired some levels of education, how did you fund your education?
My siblings sponsored me from Primary to Senior Secondary 1(SS1), then a pilot (name undisclosed) saw me through the WAEC while Christ Alive Power Assembly Church funded my higher education.
You quitted a school to another as result of your disability, how much did disability affect your schooling, was your schools inclusive and accessible?
‘with tears in his eyes’ my schools were not accessible, I had to crawl on all fours to attend lectures upstairs. I hardly go to the library because of the stairs. It was hell for me but I thank God I won.
What are the challenges you are facing in carrying out your daily activities?
Accessing public offices, banks, libraries, and transportation is a nightmare for me, unfortunately, I confront it daily. Let me use this opportunity to call on government as a matter of urgency do something about accessibility especially at government owned agencies and transportation system.
As an expert in Disability inclusion, can you share with us how far you have gone in achieving your objectives in Disability inclusion?
It has been awesome touching lives. I also want you to know that I have my own initiative named Ability Journey which I have used to do a lot within my resources and pace since 2017 till date. I have reach out to 50 students with disabilities in Bauchi state where Ability Journey shared out educational materials to them. We have organized a mentorship programme on disability inclusion for 27 teachers. We have secured scholarship from UK based NGO for two young warriors. We have also in a number of occasions shared foodstuffs and have supported many financially. We have carried out awareness campaigns on disability issues through Ability Journey and some persons with disabilities have gotten wheelchairs and other mobility aids through our effort.
Wow, you have done quite a lot with Ability Journey even though it is not registered with CAC yet, how do you fund all these activities?
With the help of my friends on social media, they have been supportive, few CEOs from other NGOs in UK. Also, from my little earning, I have always seen what I can do to make the vision stand.
In spite of the fact that Ability Journey is not registered with CAC and the enormous challenges associated to funding, what do you have going for you to continue to attract supports/funding?
One thing I believe in this humanitarian work is being transparent and accountable. Be honest and straightforward. People must see your efforts from what you preach. Back in 2015, I was having two wheelchairs and I discovered that one of my course mates sold his tricycle to pay his school fees. Watching him crawling to school all day, I was not happy. Guess what I did, I gave him one of my wheelchairs, the most expensive one. People were watching. So, I think the support I get is because I have been seen as being truthful and passionate to this cause. I pray for more grace to continue being truthful.
As one who have lived beyond disability, what advice do you have for other persons with disabilities who are confused and are still wondering on which way to follow?
Believe in yourself, associate with positive thinking persons. Never look down on yourself. Believe that you can make it. Don’t pity yourself and never have this thinking that people should help you because you have a disability. But doing something to help yourself and others. Support will naturally come your way.
Recently, exactly 23rd January, 2019, Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Bill 2018 was signed into law by President Buhari, how do you feel about it, what advice do you have for government on the implementation?
Actually, that was great victory for all of us (PWDs). But I must say that I am not a politician but an activist. I pray that it is not just a way for that President to win the heart of the PWDs for the sake of the election. He has to prove some people wrong by putting modalities in motion to ensure that the implementation commence immediately by setting up a commission. This we hope will be done before May 29.
How do you view the performance of the states towards PWDs?
Yeah, some states are really trying. States like Lagos, they have done a lot in terms of disability inclusion. BRT buses made free for PWDs and other laudable programmes for PWDs in Lagos. Plateau state is another state that is doing much for disability inclusion. Other state should start doing something on disability inclusion, it is not enough that we have a disability rights act but yet the PWDs are not enjoying it.
What are your life aspirations?
Only God can say about the future. But I know I will be a man who will live forever in the heart of many especially the disability community in Nigeria, Africa and the world.
You are always appearing as if you are a model, if I may ask, do you have plans to be the first Nigerian model with disability?
Yes, I am an aspiring model, but not the first model with disability in Nigeria, already we have a few of them. But I am working to be a renowned model and actor on a wheelchair. I am working on that and by God’s grace my movie a story on my life journey will be produce.
Keep us posted on your movie, we will be pleased to help publicize it. Can you please mention some of these models with disabilities?
I know of Rita Ofili. She is a professional model on a wheelchair based in Lagos. There are others but I can’t remember their names now.
Thank you, I have really enjoyed my stay with you, you have been so exciting and fun to be with but before I leave you, I will love to have your parting words.
Thanks so much for the honour to share my story with Nigerians. If your legs can’t walk, your hands can work. Disability is not an automatic ticket for laziness. To the able bodied it can be you tomorrow never look down on us if you can’t gather, don’t scatter.
