“What name are you
going to give your new leg?”
He was quiet for a
minute. A couple of fleeting furrows creased his brows.
Then he answered,
nodding with assured confidence, “Favored Leg.”
It was apt.
He could not have
chosen a better name for his new prosthetic limb. He is Chidiebere. He is ten years. He is the fifth of five children.
His father died when he was three months old. His mother who is a petty trader
takes care of him. Chidiebere lost his leg following an accident when the
bathroom wall fell on him at the age of 5 years. It was a full leg,
transfemoral amputation with an extremely short stump.
His disability notwithstanding, Chidiebere is hard working. He
had just completed his Primary 4 School examinations.
He helps his mother with household chores—cooking,
sweeping, and running errands. He does this hopping on one leg with his
crutches. He had overgrown his first prosthetic limb. He desperately needed a
new one. That was how the Feet Of Grace Foundation got connected to Chidiebere
by the Irede Foundation.
He was one of the
beneficiaries of the funds raised during and after the Feet of Grace 5k Charity
Walk; “Hit The Street For Their Feet.” The fundraising
event brought us in contact with Center for Integrated Health Program at the
recommendation of my husband’s old school mate—an evidence of favor. The Center
donated the entire funds for Chidiebere’s prosthetic limb.
But favor did not stop
there, the Center proposed to support Chidiebere beyond the provision of a prosthetic leg.
So they requested to meet with his family. That was part of my mission to
Nigeria in July. I met his mother in Lagos on Tuesday, July 14th,
2015 at a meeting organized by The Irede
Foundation, the sponsors of the first prosthetic leg. She was full of gratitude
to everyone who contributed towards Chidiebere getting a new prosthetic leg.
It was while watching
the video made following the fitting of the first prosthetic limb that I heard
Chidiebere saying that he wanted to finish his education and become a doctor—
dream beyond his current circumstances.
I was eager to meet
with the young lad. I wanted to hear him tell me his dreams and aspiration. I
wanted to see this young boy who is not allowing his challenges and difficult
circumstances to kill his dream.
I traveled to Enugu in the eastern part of
Nigeria on Monday, July 21st, 2015. It was an hour flight from
Lagos. I traveled with another amazing
young girl, who is living life to the full despite being an amputee—Beulah is
just six years old. She is such a sweet girl. She is another proof that
disability is a thing of the mind. She is the daughter of the founder of
the Irede Foundation.
Chidiebere was
learning how to use his new prosthetic leg during a post-fitting session when I
got to the clinic—Othofit. He stood tall on his new leg, still uncovered to
allow for necessary adjustments as the technicians ensure proper alignment and
equilibrium.
We talked. We walked
together. I introduced him to my Feet of Grace, “You are not alone in this” I
told him. He was amused that I gave my
prosthetic legs a name. Then I asked him what he would like to call his.
His answer indicated
the depth of his understanding of the immensity of the favor and grace shown to
him. Everything is turning around in his favor especially with the prospect of
having his path towards fulfilling his dream supported by strangers.
We visited his home
and his school. We spoke with his sisters
and teachers. Both sites depicted the abject poverty and the harsh realities of
the environment Chidiebere is living in. It was certainly not friendly for the disabled.
For Chidiebere, there is a glimmer of hope shimmering like silver lining around
the dark clouds—this is the manifestation of favor.
I left
Chidiebere with words of my husband ringing in my ears, “Perhaps, Chidiebere
may not have had the opportunity to walk again and dream of a bright future if
you did not lose your legs.”
One was definitely sure, I would not be campaigning for
the cause of amputees living in poor communities today if I am not an amputee myself. I certainly would not have had
such an honor of meeting champions like
Chidiebere and Beulah, who have refused to let their disability define them or
limit them from dreaming of a bright future. These kids are a great inspiration
to me.
The visit highlighted
critical gaps in the area of post-fitting physiotherapy care and support for the amputees, their immediate family,
and caregivers. This is an area Feet of Grace Foundation will be seeking to
strengthen shortly with the support of
our friends.
I was unable to visit
Olivet Amadi, the second beneficiary of the support for the provision of a
prosthetic limb through the donations from the Friends of the Feet of Grace. She
lives further up north in Jos. I watched the video of the fitting of the new
prosthetic leg. She is currently undergoing post-fitting alignment and gait
training to ensure that she can use the limb without pain.
Chidiebere and Olivet
are beneficiaries of the act of kindness of the Friends of Feet Of Grace Foundation, who have been donating generously
to the Charity Funds since we flagged off
the fundraising efforts in April 2015. The favor you have shown towards these
amputees is making a remarkable difference in their lives. On their behalf, I
would like to express my gratitude for your support and donations. Together, we
are changing lives for better and touching lives for good.
This
is just the beginning. I had the
opportunity to meet with four female amputees. Three of
them are married, with children to take
care of; one is a widow and the fourth is
a 25 years old lady. Each with her unique story living with missing
limbs, yet defiant, refusing the loss of their limbs to be a full stop to their
lives but a mere comma!
We shared stories of
our struggles living as amputees in an environment that is yet to
become handicap friendly—an environment with limited opportunities to access
affordable prosthetic limbs. These ladies are either overdue for a change their
prosthetic or still patiently awaiting support for limbs.
I ended my trip with a
greater appreciation of the need to educate the general public that while
people with disabilities or missing limbs may need support and assistance, they
certainly do not need pity.
You and I, in our
diverse spheres of influence, can be a conduit of God’s favor and a source of
encouragement to persons with disability. You can make a difference by
advocating for more handicap friendly environments.
One step at a time,
one amputee at a time, we are making an impact that will resonate long after
us. Join us at the Feet Of Grace Foundation to make life a little better for
people living with missing limbs especially in poor communities.
Together, we can.
Together, we can.