Who cares for physically challenged children?

I feel sad and ashamed when I consider the appalling attitude and disdain of most people in privileged positions for physically challenged children in our society.

They are the major victims of harsh climate and weather. Some are victims of armed conflicts; others are as a result of parental laxities and circumstances of birth, as well as diseases.

In the rain, under the sun, you find many of them in the nooks and crannies of our country. They are subjected to the most horrible acts of inhuman treatment and indignity.

Many are in tattered clothes, others crawling even as adults because of disability, just as others are sexually abused by individuals who have lost their souls and consciences.

A lot of physically challenged children have also lost their lives not necessarily to the vagaries of nature but due to irresponsibility of public officials who should statutorily address the welfare of such categories of citizens. They turned blind eyes to the predicament of the physically challenged children as they are being subjected to further mental and psychological disorientation and unnecessary rigours.

The primary responsibility of any government is the security of its citizens. This is clearly stated in the constitution, which is the grundnorm of any organised society. The government is mandated to seek the comfort of the people by making sure that they have equal access to the basic things of life.

But, what do we have in our society today? The physically challenged children are at the receiving end of the stick: little or no consideration and attention are given and paid to their welfare when government provides amenities.

That is why the few physically challenged children who, by a stroke of fate, get formal education, they shine like stars, and of course, due to their resilience, zeal and determination to prove that there is ability in disability, as they say.

I am waiting for a day when every child, regardless of his background, will have equal opportunity and sense of belonging in our dear country. I am waiting anxiously for when every child will not, in any way or form, be discriminated against because of physical challenges.

I am watching and praying for that era when we will all rise and say, ‘NO’ to all forms of discrimination against such children because of the curious circumstances of their birth and parentage.

I am waiting with equanimity for when majority of the citizens will realise that, the physically challenged child is in the image of the Almighty Creator and so should be accorded all privileges and honour all other citizens deserve and enjoy.

Let us all prevail on the legislators to do the needful through appropriate legislation on crucial issues and matters that have to do with the welfare of these classes of children and other physically challenged compatriots.

Dr. Amb. Hajiya Asabe Shehu Yar’Adua,
Shehu Yar’Adua Foundation, Abuja.

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