It pains me to say that “Nigeria may take a while before it gets better”
I volunteered for a foundation’s outreach “Bridges not barriers” by Cradle Lounge Initiatives. This was organized to spread awareness of Autism in the Ikoyi/ Obalende area and wow!
First of all, there are thousands of people in Nigeria who are diagnosed with Autism and do not know.
The responses I obtained from the area residents do not differ from those I have encountered in other places or on social media, but it was more depressing.
Some had opinions that Autism is attributed to a mental illness. Some went as far as to say it’s madness.
Sigh. It’s 2024 and there are still misconceptions despite the various ongoing advocacies.
We encountered someone on the spectrum on the road, pacing around, clearly intoxicated and my heart started to beat hard. I thought “If anything should happen to my family and my little brother is left alone, what will happen?”
I can think of a million things that may have happened to that young man roaming the road; his parents may have abandoned him because they wouldn't have known the problem.
Oh, and because of how unreliable the country is with respecting and protecting children, he probably had no choice but to stay on the streets. As you know, the "streets" are not for the faint-hearted. One will develop life-threatening habits and health conditions.
It’s sad.
And I wonder how someone will live on the road with the scorching sun and heavy rainfall.
And get this, the government’s priority is changing the National anthem?
Once again, it’s sad.
Speaking to people at Obalende opened my eyes; some mothers are confused about their autistic one’s behavior and worried about where to run. I think about the financial burden that comes with special needs and I almost think it’s impossible.
Let’s say you want to give your special child everything, but if you’re not wealthy or possess a good job, I’m afraid to say that it may be impossible. Because of this, parents are forced to send their children to mainstream schools for neurotypicals. Newsflash, whether they are on the spectrum, with a physical disability or visual impairment, they may not learn so much.
The policy on education needs to change; there should be special educators in EVERY school in Nigeria. Sign language should be taken as a subject in secondary school (Yes, because the hard-of-hearing community is very large); The Government needs to provide basic and affordable education, not just for persons with special needs, but for everyone. It’s tough out there.
Between you and I, I honestly wish I had high hopes for special needs persons getting free education; because I wonder… “if the neurotypical don’t go to school, what would make a man in government think of the Neurodiverse ones”
In conclusion to my rant, these are the kinds of issues that make me think, “What if you were in Government?”
It is not an easy task to govern a state or rule over a community/ society. If you are a genuinely good person, you will be tempted by some vultures in your team (God forbid they are your superiors).
If you are not strong on your values, you may end up working for the bad side.
I hope God raises men and women who can turn the situation around in the country- not just in the disability space, but in other areas. People are starving, the prices of food items are unbelievable, Children are roaming the roads instead of being in classrooms; Adults are ruining their lives by getting addicted to all sorts and indirectly, affecting other lives.
Oh, you disagree with that? Imagine a young man under the influence of hard drugs and a young woman in a lonely street- Mind you, this man has no form of self-control. What do you think would happen?
It doesn’t matter if you do not agree with me. But you can agree that we need serious assistance in this country, but first of all, there needs to be a mindset shift.
I pray this blog post stirs something in you. You will be intent on making life better for others.
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| The team |
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