A graduate of Ahmadu Bello College and entrepreneur, Basirah Balogun shares her journey of residing with cerebral palsy and the way she turned her challenges right into a supply of power. On this insightful interview with TEMITOPE ADETUNJI, she reveals the pivotal moments that led her to embrace her situation and discover goal within the face of adversity
Have been you identified with cerebral palsy at beginning, or did it develop later?
I used to be born with a congenital dysfunction referred to as cerebral palsy, which primarily impacts my leg but in addition partially impacts my hand and eyes. I’ve lived with this incapacity since beginning.
How did your dad and mom reply to your prognosis?
My dad and mom did their best, however in line with them, there wasn’t a prognosis of cerebral palsy till I used to be about 18. I keep in mind the physician telling me, “I believe you have got cerebral palsy.” The one remedy I obtained was the same old physiotherapy, with a give attention to my leg to assist enhance my stability and mobility. My mom would journey with me from Abuja to Lagos for remedy at Igbobi. When the Nationwide Hospital and the Ladies and Kids Hospital opened in 2000, we continued remedy there. Nevertheless, it wasn’t till a physician talked about that I had a mind situation affecting my leg that we understood the total scope of my state of affairs. I walked late, starting on the age of six, and I’m now 31 years previous.
My dad and mom had been very supportive. I’m the youngest of 4 kids, and my dad and mom by no means handled me in another way from my siblings.
What had been probably the most important challenges you encountered rising up with cerebral palsy?
One of the crucial troublesome challenges was my schooling, notably attending faculty. My delayed means to stroll meant my dad and mom had been hesitant to enroll me at school early on. Once I finally began faculty, my mom observed I had issue writing. She would come to my class throughout breaks to repeat my notes after which educate me at house. This was earlier than we absolutely understood what we had been coping with. My mom would maintain my hand to assist me grip the pencil, whereas my father inspired me to scrabble, primarily to jot down in round motions, to enhance my hand coordination. I practised this for years, and it progressively improved.
Studying was additionally a problem for me, however my mom helped by instructing me the Queen’s Primer. To at the present time, I believe I’ve dyslexia, though I’ve not been formally identified. To manage, I’d learn my books after which write down what I had discovered on A4 paper to make sure my spelling and grammar had been appropriate. I practised this diligently earlier than each examination to enhance my coordination and accuracy. Though I nonetheless wrestle with studying and focus, I’ve discovered to handle it.
Did you face different challenges at school?
Probably the most extreme stigma I confronted occurred throughout my senior secondary faculty years, not as a lot in college. In senior secondary faculty, I used to be in SS1 and had already discovered to jot down, however I used to be a gradual author. The problem wasn’t simply in writing slowly; it was additionally within the coordination required to have a look at the board, then look down and write. It is a frequent problem with cerebral palsy.
Sooner or later, a trainer observed my incomplete notes and publicly berated me, saying, “Basirah, why is your word not full?” She then raised her voice, calling me a “disabled little one” and insinuating that my dad and mom had been losing their cash on me. This was a stunning and painful expertise, particularly since my mom had all the time made me really feel regular. Listening to the phrase “disabled” from a trainer was a harsh actuality verify, and it was one of many worst experiences I had. I went house crying to my mom, who tried her finest to consolation me. Moreover, I confronted stigma for being left-handed.
In college, nevertheless, I confronted a lot much less stigma, maybe as a result of I had mature by then. Individuals would sometimes have a look at me in another way, however I developed coping mechanisms. I additionally carried out properly academically, graduating with a 2.1 CGPA, which earned me respect from my friends and shielded me from additional stigmatisation.
Throughout troublesome instances, many individuals grapple with destructive ideas and feelings. Did you ever expertise such overwhelming emotions?
Sure, I did. Because the youngest little one, I usually checked out my older siblings and questioned, “Why me, God? Why didn’t you create me like them? Why am I so completely different?”
I’ll share a selected incident from my life. My mom did a unprecedented job of making certain I didn’t really feel completely different, to the purpose that I wasn’t even absolutely conscious of how my legs regarded. Sooner or later, I walked into the room I shared with my sister and noticed a medium-sized mirror on the ground, left there by somebody. Once I noticed my reflection, I used to be struck by how completely different and, in my thoughts, how “ugly” my legs appeared. It was the primary time I really noticed how my legs regarded. I knew they had been completely different, however I hadn’t realised the extent. I assumed, “No marvel individuals have a look at me.” I understood then why I struggled with stability and infrequently fell.
It was such a troublesome second that at some point, whereas washing dishes; I used to be overwhelmed by a thought: nobody was round, and I may simply finish my life to flee the struggles. However I shortly pulled myself collectively, reminding myself that I couldn’t do it and that God would query me.
I began researching cerebral palsy and discovered that it’s a mind situation, not one thing that might be mounted with surgical procedure. Along with cerebral palsy, I’ve developed a bone situation referred to as osteoarthritis. I now educate others the best way to handle cerebral palsy and osteoarthritis, providing DIY strategies and steering, together with recommendation for moms with kids who’ve cerebral palsy.
What motivated you to share your experiences on social media?
Initially, I used to be reluctant to share my story. I didn’t come onto social media to speak about my incapacity; I used to be merely making an attempt to market my merchandise. I used to be promoting a product for joint ache, which I developed attributable to my situation. The ache was extreme, and I used to be on the verge of turning into depending on medicine. After researching and discovering an answer that labored for me, I obtained constructive suggestions from others who tried the product.
Individuals started encouraging me to advertise the product publicly, so I turned to social media. Alongside the joint ointment, I began promoting physique cream, which I additionally knew the best way to make. Then, at some point, a lady with a younger little one who had cerebral palsy like me got here throughout my web page. She usually spoke about her daughter, and I assumed she may accomplish that as a result of it wasn’t her private situation, it was her daughter’s.
My elder sister, who admired what this lady was doing, informed her about me, saying, “My sister has cerebral palsy.” The girl was stunned and requested, “Which sister?” When my sister replied, “Basirah, the one who sells cream,” the lady realised that my joint ointment was associated to my situation. She reached out to me privately, encouraging me to share my story. Initially, I felt embarrassed and questioned whether or not I ought to; fearing individuals would possibly suppose I used to be mad as a result of cerebral palsy is a mind situation. However the lady’s encouragement made me rethink.
It was World Cerebral Palsy Day that 12 months after I determined to step ahead and share my story. I defined to folks that I had cerebral palsy and that it’s the rationale behind the joint ointment they had been shopping for. That was the turning level for me, giving me the braveness to share my journey on social media.
As a graduate, which establishment did you attend, and what was your area of research?
Schooling in Psychology and Counselling at Ahmadu Bello College, Zaria. I graduated in 2021, though I used to be presupposed to graduate in 2020, however as a result of Corona outbreak, I graduated in 2021.
How do you navigate transportation along with your situation?
The situation has restricted plenty of social actions; initially, that was the issue since you can’t simply mess around like all people, and the despair and stigmatisation, however going out, you simply have to deal with it as a result of, after all, I simply know that with the appearance of vehicles that you may simply guide a journey along with your cellphone like a bolt, Uber, and so forth., it has been simpler. One other factor that I’ve been capable of do is grasp the braveness to ask individuals for assist. Even when I don’t know you earlier than, I’ll stroll as much as an Akara vendor and inform the individual to assist me cross the highway. I do this as a result of I’ve realised that it’s important to ask for assist.
Do you make good income in your enterprise?
Initially, after I began the enterprise, I can’t say the enterprise was serving to me do a lot however now it’s serving to me do an entire lot, I don’t ask my dad and mom for lots of issues, after all, I’m nonetheless below their roof. I help the house with what I can afford and I care for myself. I began the enterprise earlier than I graduated from faculty. Even earlier than the cream and ointment enterprise, I used to be baking cake. I’ve all the time finished one thing. I discovered the best way to bake as a result of I didn’t get admission on time; I make pure fruit juices. The explanation why I ended baking was that I couldn’t embellish due to the stress, it was very painful on my joints. I discovered myself consuming an excessive amount of sugar within the course of of creating cake and sugar is just not good for me, it’s going to result in joint ache. I realised that what you eat would make joint ache lesser or extra, so I ended making desserts. I’ve all the time needed to be a enterprise individual, I additionally did tech coaching for like a 12 months instantly after faculty.
What are some frequent misconceptions about cerebral palsy?
The frequent false impression is that folks don’t know that cerebral palsy is in levels. I’m a cerebral palsy sufferer of stage two, which is of six levels, so the individual in stage six is in a wheelchair. So, if I say I’ve cerebral palsy, some individuals have a look at me in a really humorous method, and there are some cerebral palsy victims that can’t speak; it’s the a part of the mind that’s affected. I’m lucky that the a part of the mind that’s affected is my limbs, my palms, and my legs. For some individuals, it’s so horrible that the majority their physique elements are affected, so individuals have a tendency to make use of us as basic. It isn’t a illness however a dysfunction. Dad and mom want to know the stage a toddler falls on and discover ways to handle it.
One other false impression is that it isn’t communicable, and it isn’t hereditary. Some dad and mom didn’t permit their kids to sit down with me in main faculty; they thought it was an infectious illness.
Are you presently in a relationship?
Sure, I’m, however not a critical one.
How do you navigate discussions about your situation when courting or forming new relationships?
Even when the intention is to be associates with somebody, I’ll inform the individual, most particularly somebody I meet on-line. That’s the reason I put it on my social media bio that I’m bodily challenged. I received’t wait to be in a relationship with somebody earlier than I inform them as a result of I really feel not telling them is deceit.
Do you consider that relationships involving people with disabilities current distinctive dynamics?
It presents distinctive dynamics as a result of I inform myself that with regards to relationships, that’s the solely side of your life that you just can’t management. The side of getting to permit the opposite individual to simply accept me to start out a critical factor is one thing I can’t management myself as a result of it has to do with the opposite individual; the opposite individual has his personal considering.
When going right into a relationship, don’t put all of your thoughts. I’ve had failed relationships. For people residing with disabilities, search for mature individuals. It doesn’t matter if the individual is older; if you happen to date somebody who is just not mature, the connection is not going to work. You want to date somebody who will perceive you.
What recommendation would you provide to younger individuals with disabilities who’re aiming to start out their very own companies or pursue bold targets?
There are networks of individuals residing with disabilities that exist that you may be a part of; you see plenty of alternatives that may increase your enterprise; as an individual residing with incapacity, it’s worthwhile to do plenty of analysis; you possibly can’t simply sit someplace and be crying as a result of you’ll remorse the years you’ve cried; speak to individuals; combine with individuals.