By Amina Audu,
International Wheelchair Day which was launched on 1st March, 2008 is an annual day of events and activities which take place around the World when wheelchair users celebrate the positive impact a wheelchair has on their lives.
Today’s event is not different and many wheelchair users are using the day to create awareness on what wheelchair meant for a user. The importance of users to access to functional wheelchair and also creating access within the society for wheelchair users.
In this year’s event, Nigeria is not left out as some wheelchair users took turn to speak on what wheelchair meant for them.
Rebuilding hope on wheels initiatives ( Rhowi) on commemorating International wheelchair Day reached out to some Wheelchair users to sample their views on the impact of the Wheelchair in their lives.
Rhowi is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to enhancing the lives if persons with disabilities especially those affected by spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries has become prevalent due to some many preventable causes such as road traffic accidents , insurgency, falls from height and violence. Depending on the type of injury the severity will determine if the survivor will become a wheelchair user in many cases for life.
So below are some persons with spinal cord injuries sharing their experience of what wheelchair meant to them:
Wheelchair is a useful tool, mobility aid, people attached stigma towards it, that’s because they lack understanding and it usefulness.
Wheelchair is equivalent to what car or bike provides, transit from point A to B.
There shouldn’t be any emotional attachments towards it if you see Wheelchair for what it is.
In our current situation is only necessary to appreciate how valuable Wheelchair has been to us, not restricted to the bed.
I remember that back in 2012, I use manual wheelchair to start my shop, people were amazes how I navigate with it operating a cooking gas ⛽ refilling store far from me.
You call me and it take me 20 to 25 minutes to Wheelchair myself, unless I saw helper on the way, a road full of sand.
Is old story now as I use electric wheelchair travel far distance away from my community to other place you can’t imagine I will reach in search for businesses and purchase.
Wheelchair serve the purpose if what your legs would have done if our injury didn’t affect our movement.
I smile and put a bright face.
If people tell me sorry, I caution them and ask why telling me sorry, most often they are embarrassed for dare saying it.
Don’t make me feel bad or pity because am using wheelchair.
Like is often said here, is not the legs but brain (Andy Wallace)
Most times I feel comfortable
But sometimes angry
But not ashamed cos some people walking can’t even do what am doing (Mueedin)
Those who have the opportunity of working and interacting with the public are lucky. I remember when I had the accident some 20 years ago, I always felt otherwise because in this part of the country if you are on wheelchair you are a beggar. But fortunately I resumed back to my place of work, as a banker I interfaced with people and this boost my confidence, that I don’t even think about what people think of me. But initially it’s not easy adapting to life on wheelchair. (Yemi Ogunleye)
My wheelchair, my leg.
My wheelchair, my most valuable assest
Without my wheelchair, where would I go.
I wouldn’t have gone to school
I wouldn’t have gotten a job
I wouldn’t have had a home
My wheelchair,my companion
Anytime my wheelchair breaks down, that day/week is over.
My wheelchair, you already provided a seat for me at every function.
When people stand before men, I seat.
People around become envious.
That is the pride my wheelchair has given me.
Give me an electric wheelchair and see the joy in me
Give me a manual wheelchair and see my gap teeth and dimple.
Thank you my wheelchair for all you all day.
Without you, life would have been miserable. (Alabede Sope).
Why will one be angry or ashamed for being on wheelchair? The wheelchair user doesn’t mean one is inability. It just help one forgo transit purpose just like how car, bike, bicycle, aeroplane and other. I use to help to push wheelchair user during my school time at Unijos. Help to push to market, bank, fetch water and on to both female and male students. But here I am on the same wheelchair user today. This life no balance at all. (Adamu Babayo)
My wheels my legs, the first day I started using wheelchair was a day I can never forget in life, but I still think with time I will walk and now is 8years, my wheel chair is what proved me mobility and I am proud of myself today, my wheel chair help me grow and brought me better opportunities. I love my wheelchair. (Vicky)
