When he was two years old, Stephan Abge lost his legs to polio. But he did not allow his disability to prevent him from getting a degree. Stephan bagged a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at the Cross River State University of Technology (CRUTECH). He is one of the youths who participated in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation in Cross River State.
He relived his experience in the camp to HIS MATE, JOHNPAUL NNAMDI
How did you become physically-challenged?
I was not born disabled. My birth was normal, just like every other person’s. My mother told me I had normal, legs until about two years, when I was attacked by polio. This has kept me in the wheel chair.
You acquired higher education, despite your challenge. How did you cope?
It is the will of God that I will be educated. I had my primary education in a special school for the physically- challenged. While in school, I had a bad experience; I was discriminated against. I paid the fees myself, so it was not so easy for me. At the university, I had friends who carried me and helped me in getting certain things done. At a point, when I was not financially capable of continuing with my study, I got a scholarship from the management, which saw me through until I graduated. This really helped me because I could not have been able to see myself through school.
How did you cope with the stress of the orientation?
For me, it was fun and I tried my best to enjoy myself. I did not encounter many problems. Although it was always difficult for me to make my way to the bathroom or to the toilet, I made sure I was comfortable and behaved like everybody else. I got all the kits I needed. But I could not participate in activities, such as morning parade, sports and Man ‘O’ War drills. However, I did not miss out on lectures and social activities.
Did you receive a warm welcome from your colleagues?
Yes. In fact, I made as many friends as possible. I befriended male and female and our relationship is cordial because they were always there for me. I tried as much as possible to be useful to them, too. We interacted and helped one another when the need arose.
What would you have loved to be if you were not disabled?
I would have loved to be a doctor. Nevertheless, I am not regretting this because I am already a graduate of Computer Science and I believe I still have the chance to go further in my education.
How do you think the quality of education can be improved on?
The system is not 100 per cent excellent, I think the government and the private sector can do more to make education attractive to the youths. Government must solve the issue of strike in public schools by increasing funding and provide infrastructure. There should also be a regulation of private universities, where students pay exorbitant fees. When building schools, government or private owners should consider disabled people by providing special tools to aid their learning. I must add that people with disability should also be given equal opportunity on employment issues.
What is the advice you have for people in such situation like you?
I want to let them see themselves as normal human being. They should not see their disability as a barrier to their destiny or happiness. Most disabled people have low self-esteem and present themselves as an object of pity. To such people, I think they should have a change of mindset because there is a reason why we find ourselves in every situation. Above all, every human being on earth has one challenge or the other but we have to forge ahead, struggle and look beyond our limitation. People should not do things for us out of pity, rather they should give a helping hand when they notice we need help.
How did you become physically-challenged?
I was not born disabled. My birth was normal, just like every other person’s. My mother told me I had normal, legs until about two years, when I was attacked by polio. This has kept me in the wheel chair.
You acquired higher education, despite your challenge. How did you cope?
It is the will of God that I will be educated. I had my primary education in a special school for the physically- challenged. While in school, I had a bad experience; I was discriminated against. I paid the fees myself, so it was not so easy for me. At the university, I had friends who carried me and helped me in getting certain things done. At a point, when I was not financially capable of continuing with my study, I got a scholarship from the management, which saw me through until I graduated. This really helped me because I could not have been able to see myself through school.
How did you cope with the stress of the orientation?
For me, it was fun and I tried my best to enjoy myself. I did not encounter many problems. Although it was always difficult for me to make my way to the bathroom or to the toilet, I made sure I was comfortable and behaved like everybody else. I got all the kits I needed. But I could not participate in activities, such as morning parade, sports and Man ‘O’ War drills. However, I did not miss out on lectures and social activities.
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SIDE ATTRACTIONS: 24-Year-old Nigerian Woman Graduates With 4.0 Out Of 4.0 CGPA In University Of Texas.
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Did you receive a warm welcome from your colleagues?
Yes. In fact, I made as many friends as possible. I befriended male and female and our relationship is cordial because they were always there for me. I tried as much as possible to be useful to them, too. We interacted and helped one another when the need arose.
What would you have loved to be if you were not disabled?
I would have loved to be a doctor. Nevertheless, I am not regretting this because I am already a graduate of Computer Science and I believe I still have the chance to go further in my education.
How do you think the quality of education can be improved on?
The system is not 100 per cent excellent, I think the government and the private sector can do more to make education attractive to the youths. Government must solve the issue of strike in public schools by increasing funding and provide infrastructure. There should also be a regulation of private universities, where students pay exorbitant fees. When building schools, government or private owners should consider disabled people by providing special tools to aid their learning. I must add that people with disability should also be given equal opportunity on employment issues.
What is the advice you have for people in such situation like you?
I want to let them see themselves as normal human being. They should not see their disability as a barrier to their destiny or happiness. Most disabled people have low self-esteem and present themselves as an object of pity. To such people, I think they should have a change of mindset because there is a reason why we find ourselves in every situation. Above all, every human being on earth has one challenge or the other but we have to forge ahead, struggle and look beyond our limitation. People should not do things for us out of pity, rather they should give a helping hand when they notice we need help.
Friend, look at yourself once again. again please, you have everything you need to succeed, yet you never cease to complain and put all the blames on the government. Stand up now and go do something for yourself. wait. it start from here. share this post to your friends on facebook, twitter,... someone might be inspired by this. Use the share button below. Thanks
1 comment:
with determination, d sky is the limit
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