The IREDE Foundation has pledged to help children with disabilities with free artificial limbs as it registered its presence in Kogi.
The organisation said this at an early morning Walk for inclusion in its 9th edition of disability advocacy walk on Saturday in Lokoja.
Our Correspondent reports that the 2023 walk, the first edition, began around Treasure Eatery to Oasis Bakery along IBB Way, Lokoja.
The walk is to join others in 60 locations across the Global.
This year’s theme is titled: ”A walk for inclusion”.
Mr Peter Onyekwuo, the Kogi Coordinator of the foundation, described the walk as a “huge success” and “historic”, being the first edition in the state.
He said that IREDE Foundation is a Non-Governmental Organisation, which is out to giving hope to those beings who are without lower limbs.
“Especially children within the ages of 1 and 18-years old, by offering them limbs for free.
“It’s a clear and opened opportunity for People With disabilities (PWDs) to be in an inclusive world and have a limb.
“It is why we create a platform for them to see themselves as part of the larger world,” he said.
He noted that today’s walk serves as part of enlightenment and sensitisation to the residents of Kogi that there’s something good for as many that would need help of a limb to be able to move about freely.
Onyekwuo further said that the foundation also offer opportunity for adults who might also be in need of a limb.
“The difference is that adults are expected to pay half of the cost unlike that of children that is for free,” he said.
He said that the foundation was also going round placing hand bills in banks, hospitals, super markets/shopping malls, hotels, eateries/restaurants and parks.
“It is towards sensitising the public of the presence and offers of the foundation to the residents of the state,” he said.
A mother of a nine year-old girl, Mrs Stella Ederiene, who was part of the “Out on the Limb Walk”, told newsmen that her daughter, Mirabel, was a beneficiary of a limb from the foundation through Abuja axis two years ago.
“Mirabel was only seven years old, when through a friend, we were able to know about IREDE Foundation while in Abuja and got the limb for her.
“Then doctors told us that the chances of Mirabel’s survival after the operation would be 50-50 and advised us to just get her a limb, which came through IREDE Foundation.
“Now that we are here in Lokoja, we will joint force with the foundation to enlighten others to come forward and benefit from the kindness and love the foundation is offering to PWDs in our society,” she said.
Mr Oludayo Oluruntoba, 47, who joined in the walk, said he got wind of the planned walk yesterday and decided to participate more so that he was hoping to get a limb from the foundation.
“I am so glad that at last there is hope for me to get a limb that will help me with crutches and walk normal as other fellow citizens.
“I am ready to pay half of the cost since the opportunity has been opened through IREDE Foundation, which is operating in Kogi now,” Oluruntoba said.
