Ladi Cosmost is a right hand amputee from a family of nine children, she is married with five children, She is from Kwalla in Qua’an-Pan local government of Plateau state.
In a chat with our correspondents, Bulus Izang and Joshua Yenle, she spoke about her amputation, family and what she is doing for a living.
TQM. How did you come about the amputation?
I grew up without disability. While in my husband’s house, l went to operate a grinding machine so that l can prepare meal, in the process, the belt of the machine went off, in an attempt to put it back my hand went into the wheel, and that was it, l was with my first pregnancy then.
After some years, my husband started maltreating me because of the one hand, even though, l was still going to the farm and doing my household activities well.
He continued with the abusive behavior and even married a second wife, after some years, l move out to my brother’s house, l was having five children at the time. I stayed in my brother’s house for seven years, before my husband came, seeking for reconciliation, he got a separate house for me and my children.
TQM. Does your husband provides food for you and the children?
He sometimes does, but I regularly do go to my brother for assistance.
TQM. Are your children in school, if yes who is paying for their education?
Two different women in our community, took two of my daughters to stay with them, because of our lack, my first daughter got pregnant, she is now with the man, the remaining two are with me. They are schooling and l am the one paying for their education, but they sometimes stay at home because there is no school fees.
TQM. What are you doing to earn a living?
I do fry akara, l also keep pigs and dogs, which l sometimes sell to get money to do little farming.
TQM. Have you ever received assistance from the government to increase your business?
No.
TQM. As a person with disability, do people discriminate against you?
Yes.
TQM. There are government establishments, that protect people with disabilities against discrimination. Do you know about them?
No.
TQM. What would be your personal request to the government and other members of the society?
They should help me with money to increase my business, so that I would live a better life and even pay my children’s school fees.
TQM. Thank you Madam, we wish you the best of luck.
