A Warrior’s Musings: Sick, Hearing Impaired and a Woman

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‘I am taking this cow instead of my daughter because the cow is important to me. It will produce milk and could fetch some tidy sum if I ever decide to sell it. My daughter in her crippled condition is of no use to me; she will instead prove to be more of a burden and I have to get away from here fast’. These words paraphrased, were spoke by one father in a war torn country concerning his physically challenged daughter. I don’t want to use the word handicapped here. I came across these words a few years back while researching on people with disabilities. For some reason, the words stuck with me.

 

Another one had this to say, ‘She is a disgrace to our family that is why we have to hide her away’ and guessed where she was hidden? In a dry well for over a long period of time until she was rescued. Sometimes, food was lowered down to her like an animal.

These two scenarios are common enough occurrences towards disabled and physically challenged people. Many erroneously hold the view that a special needs child apart from being a witch or wizard, is a huge burden to the family. Unfortunately, our society has very limited and often times, a total lack of amenities to assist people who find themselves in such situations. As if having this challenge to deal with is not enough, some have to cope with the sometimes indifferent attitude of their family towards their plight.

Being a woman in the world at large and in Africa in particular is hard enough. Being a physically challenged or disabled woman is doubly hard. Add being sick to the equation and you find triple trouble… wahala… as some could say.

Fortunately, I am blessed with a family who see pass my health and hearing limitations to see potentials and cheer me all the way. As I journey through life, I am equally blessed to have friends who like my family, see potentials were others see stumbling blocks joining the cheering team to push me forward.

Others have not been that fortunate. I have seen many wallow in self pity, left to waste away by family because of the situations they found themselves in which they had no part in the turn out of the affairs.

As a warrior, some situations are hard enough. But being a female warrior and one who probably due to some side effects from constant medications became hearing impaired is out right difficult. Many an opportunity has slipped away due to this. Thanks to my family, their believe in me helped me develop confidence in my abilities despite the seeming endless battles I have to face. This confidence has helped me to always have a plan B in the event that plan A fails. This confidence is what has made me able to write something about this today. And this confidence is what has made it possible to be proud to be sick, hearing impaired and a woman.

But wait a minute!

There is no pride in being sick, constantly pumping yourself with medications to stay alive. There is no pride in dealing with people’s insensitive comments like ‘half die’ and having to cope with pitying looks.

There is no pride in missing out on a conversation and being referred to as ‘mumu’.

There is absolutely no pride in feeling you are worthless because that is what society in general which may even include your close ones, make you feel simply because you are a physically challenged woman.

There is however pride in defying the odds and proving disabled doesn’t mean a lack of ability. There is pride in empowering others.

On this I say though I am a warrior, a hearing impaired one and a woman at that, I take pride in who I am. My situation has a lot to do with the woman I am today. It not only made me empathetic and sensitive towards others, it made me daring enough to defy the odds again and again and so yes, I am sick, hearing impaired, a woman but proud.

Be proud of who you are. You don’t have a thing to do with your circumstances except deal with it the best way you can therefore, you owe no one an apology.


I am always inspired by your comments. Please do share and drop a line.

ARREY E. AGBOR-NDAKAW.

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Kelly Grace
Kelly Grace
8 years ago

Ma dear am so proud of u. I have never looked at u n c a physically challenged woman n I mean this. Physically, there is nothing wrong with u. When u tk paper n pen sense di flow, ur loving caring hard working u name ……Let me confess sometimes I feel intimidated by ur articles. The ideas u have n d way u put them out there for us to read. Ur an amazing woman n an awesome friend. That is what I c when I look at u.

Joy2Endure
Joy2Endure
8 years ago

Awww thanks sis. Sense di flow for paper huh? LOL thanks. Wow that is some news never could have thought you could feel intimidated by my articles. Humbled. Thanks sis for joiningthe cheering team all these years. It’s been an amazing journey with you in it. I know that and I appreciate that more than you could ever know. Truth be told, I hate those pitying looks and happy I hardly get them from those close to me.

Samuel Njokatem
Samuel Njokatem
8 years ago

Keep it up big sis. We are behind you.

Joy2Endure
Joy2Endure
8 years ago

Thank you very much Sam. Your encouragements means alot. Thank you for stopping by.

Bertrand Egbe
Bertrand Egbe
8 years ago

There is always some new to reveal about yourself every time you write another one of these articles of yours. Since I take your words seriously, I’m incline to believe but at times, I find it hard to believe you to be telling the truth concerning you disabilities. I try to reason it to an alter ego to put some else’s story for us to read. Either way, it’s always interesting reading from you Miss Agbor-Ndakaw!!

Joy2Endure
Joy2Endure
8 years ago
Reply to  Bertrand Egbe

Alter Ego, I wish but they say reality can sometimes be stranger than fiction. Follow my path and keep making the discoveries my good sir Bertrand Egbe. 🙂 Thanking you for taking me serious and thank you for always stopping with an encouraging word. Keep coming!

Precious
Precious
8 years ago

This is so inspiring. We shouldn’t let our circumstances limit us. When life gives you lemon, you make lemonade. That’s the way to go Sis. Awesome read!

http://www.preciouscore.com

Joy2Endure
Joy2Endure
8 years ago
Reply to  Precious

And if you can not make lemonade, look for something else you can make with lemon. I call that developing your own coping mechanisms! Thanks Sis always good to see you around.

Patty Badobre
Patty Badobre
8 years ago

What a great read! Your strength and resilience is endearing and inspiring!
I want to be EXACTLY like you when I grow up (mentally of course:-))!

You are a great human being. XoXo!

Joy2Endure
Joy2Endure
8 years ago
Reply to  Patty Badobre

LOL Sis Patty, you will be just great when you grow up to be exactly like me 🙂 Thank you for the encouraging words. And many thanks for stopping by