People living with disabilities have told Africa24 that they do not need any sympathy from government, individual or general public rather than creating the condusive atmosphere where they will live together happily and peaceably with others.
They said this on 3rd December, 2023 whilst celebrating this year’s International Disability Day. They said people are in the habit of expressing sympathy to them for their conditions. “We don’t love that kind of gesture because it only makes us feel very bad about our conditions and add to our stress. Some of us were not born with this condition, and therefore do not want anybody to remind us about it,” they insisted.
They said their conditions have nothing to do with their abilities as they emphasized: “There is ability in disability.” A good number of us despite being challenged are well educated and skilled and believe we can even do or perform better than the able bodied people.
“All what we are craving for is care and support from government and other people so that we will be able to take of ourselves without being a burden or liability. We want employment or better still contracts, say for instance to supply uniform or furniture for all government schools that will help of a lot. “We believe meaningful and gainful engagement will also remove our colleagues from begging on the streets,” they concluded.