GIVE US A CHANCE
‘GIVE US A CHANCE’ is an article coined from a video titled 'Give Us A Chance' by Idowu Adeyemi.
Idowu Adeyemi is a student of the Prestigious University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He is a notable individual in the institution for his public speaking abilities. He happens to be using the wheel chair but this does not stop him from doing what he knows how to do best. You'll agree with this after reading his speech in this article.
The video is highly challenging and very inspiring with a lot of messages in it. It speaks of the great abilities possessed by those we consider 'disable'. It is for this reason I have taken time to write down his speech in the video for the sake of those that haven't been able to watch it. It may appear quite long but at the end of it all, it's worth it!
Here comes 'Give Us A Chance' by Idowu Adeyemi
"For so long I have waited to make this request. So long it has been that it seems now like an impossible quest.
So today, I'm on a special mission and not competition. I want your attention, not your ovation. I do hope that there'll be
a change after this article, of course, not by a miracle but I'll speak the truth like an oracle.
This is because I have heard the voice of the neglected crying from the wilderness of isolation with the depth of their pains piercing into the deepest depth of the deepest oceans.
So today, I have come to confront you with the consequence of your silence. A silence that exist in the world where disability is confused for inability.
There exists a negative attitude and social taboos against persons living with disabilities in many parts of the world today including Nigeria.
According to the EFA Global monitoring report in 2011, majority of Children living with disabilities in Africa do not go to school at all. Out of the 72 million primary school aged children that are out of school worldwide, one-third of them have disabilities.
Interestingly, discrimination is as old as human society itself. In the Bible for instance, some character are consistently described with their disabilities, so much that history eventually forgot their names: The Woman with the issue of blood, the Lame man at pool of Bethsaida, Blind Bartimaeus. I cannot remember the number of times I've had to wonder if the surname of Bartimaeus was actually 'Blind'. Unfortunately, this discrimination and insensitivity to the existence of people living with disabilities survives even in intellectual environment. On the 28th of November, 2015, The premium times reported the rustication of one Miss James Ottah from Rivers State university because she had speech defect.
Persons with disabilities get pity and not empathy, discrimination instead of accommodation, unjustified social impunities instead of opportunities.
It seems to have simultaneously evaded our consciousness that when the majority have their way, the minority should not only have a say, they deserve to get a space and that is the true definition of an inclusive society. I am not pointing accusing fingers neither am I saying the society hasn't done anything. All I'm saying is do more. There is always room to do more.
Having read this article, please, let's change our perspective about how we relate or treat people leaving with disabilities. Let's give them a chance.
A typical example is the Paralympics team of Nigeria that has represented the country at international events and brought back medals to show for it much better than the Nigerian Olympics team.
Please share with friends or invite them to read this.
GIVE THEM A CHANCE!
Idowu Adeyemi is a student of the Prestigious University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He is a notable individual in the institution for his public speaking abilities. He happens to be using the wheel chair but this does not stop him from doing what he knows how to do best. You'll agree with this after reading his speech in this article.
The video is highly challenging and very inspiring with a lot of messages in it. It speaks of the great abilities possessed by those we consider 'disable'. It is for this reason I have taken time to write down his speech in the video for the sake of those that haven't been able to watch it. It may appear quite long but at the end of it all, it's worth it!
Here comes 'Give Us A Chance' by Idowu Adeyemi
"For so long I have waited to make this request. So long it has been that it seems now like an impossible quest.
So today, I'm on a special mission and not competition. I want your attention, not your ovation. I do hope that there'll be
a change after this article, of course, not by a miracle but I'll speak the truth like an oracle.
This is because I have heard the voice of the neglected crying from the wilderness of isolation with the depth of their pains piercing into the deepest depth of the deepest oceans.
So today, I have come to confront you with the consequence of your silence. A silence that exist in the world where disability is confused for inability.
There exists a negative attitude and social taboos against persons living with disabilities in many parts of the world today including Nigeria.
According to the EFA Global monitoring report in 2011, majority of Children living with disabilities in Africa do not go to school at all. Out of the 72 million primary school aged children that are out of school worldwide, one-third of them have disabilities.
Interestingly, discrimination is as old as human society itself. In the Bible for instance, some character are consistently described with their disabilities, so much that history eventually forgot their names: The Woman with the issue of blood, the Lame man at pool of Bethsaida, Blind Bartimaeus. I cannot remember the number of times I've had to wonder if the surname of Bartimaeus was actually 'Blind'. Unfortunately, this discrimination and insensitivity to the existence of people living with disabilities survives even in intellectual environment. On the 28th of November, 2015, The premium times reported the rustication of one Miss James Ottah from Rivers State university because she had speech defect.
Persons with disabilities get pity and not empathy, discrimination instead of accommodation, unjustified social impunities instead of opportunities.
It seems to have simultaneously evaded our consciousness that when the majority have their way, the minority should not only have a say, they deserve to get a space and that is the true definition of an inclusive society. I am not pointing accusing fingers neither am I saying the society hasn't done anything. All I'm saying is do more. There is always room to do more.
We pretend to feel,
understand and share the pains of persons living with disabilities but our
actions always speak the opposite because in actual fact, we don’t. Neither
am I asking for preferential treatment on behalf of persons with disabilities; no,
far from it. All I’m saying is that special facilities needed by special persons
in the society be provided, so that we do not feel we are less a human being.
Finally, I had my first hand discrimination as a kid. I was
about 4 to 6 years old when one of my mother’s friends came to our house to
advice my mother never to take me back to school. My mum declined and chose to
take me back to school instead. She died when I was just 8 years of age but she
had done something I will never forget. She
gave me a chance and that’s what I’m asking today.
GIVE US A CHANCE
We have disability
but we are not a liability to the society. GIVE US A CHANCE!
We are not a majority
but our interest is also a priority. GIVE US A CHANCE!
We do not need your
pity or sympathy. Just show a little more of empathy. GIVE US A CHANCE!
We do not need your
special consideration. Just change your perception about our condition. GIVE US
A CHANCE!
And when you give us a chance;
you would have given us the opportunity to contribute to solving the problems
of the society and not becoming one of the problems to be solved.
THANK YOU".
That's what Mr. Idowu had to say.
That's what Mr. Idowu had to say.
Having read this article, please, let's change our perspective about how we relate or treat people leaving with disabilities. Let's give them a chance.
A typical example is the Paralympics team of Nigeria that has represented the country at international events and brought back medals to show for it much better than the Nigerian Olympics team.
Please share with friends or invite them to read this.
GIVE THEM A CHANCE!
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