Barely Surviving – Onwubariri Emmanuel Chidube

At the end of the three years of laying on the floor, I was able to get a wheelchair through a donation. I soon became active but did not know what to do with my life. Where to go, whom to be friends with and how to live. The worst is that my environment isn't suitable for me to wheel around or go out due to water lumps and big potholes. Every day I got frustrated with life, soon anger started to set in. Managing my anger became an issue to me. Many times, I easily became annoyed because I'm…

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The Importance of Safety and Peace of Mind – Onwubariri Emmanuel Chidube

For several years now, I have been living in a house without glass windows with only wooden shutters to close the openings. The door to my apartment was broken during a burglary and it was never repaired since I had no means to fix it.My home is very close to the bush owned by a neighboring farmer. Many times, creatures like snakes and other dangerous insects are able to crawl into the house through the openings. The same applies to burglars who sneak through the bush when the house is empty to break in and steal my property. I have…

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A Request for Help from Celestine Nwankwo

My name is Celestine Nwankwo. I'm a native of Ugwueme in Awgu LGA Enugu State, Nigeria. I am twenty nine years old. Thirteen years ago, I sustained a spinal cord injury at the age of sixteen. My injury was as a result of an accident while playing with a school mate, I fell down striking my neck violently on the ground in our school compound. I was immediately unable to move any part of my body. I was rushed to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) where I was admitted for two months.The doctor suggested that I should go abroad…

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Setting Up Zion’s Room – Sponsored by Anja K. and Richard K.

Today, the Dubel Disability Foundation visited Mr. Zion Chichetam who has a C(1-5) complete spinal cord injury. Mr. Zion has for a very long period been lying on the floor, with little or no help to help him go out, the young man found himself staying in doors all the time. Zion was in need of a mattress and cover, a rechargeable fan, a rechargeable lantern, and a TV set for little comfort and entertainment.I sincerely thank Mrs. Anja and Mr. Richard. Mrs. Anja who out of love and kindness donated a TV set and other things.Mr Richard who donated…

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Getting Supplies for Zion in Owerri – Sponsored by Anja K. and Richard K.

Today, despite heavy rain and difficult road conditions, Emmanuel travelled from his village to Owerri to purchase essential home goods to make Zion's life a little more comfortable. Zion has literally been lying on the floor for years with out access to a reliable cooling fan, lighting, means of entertainment, or a suitable wheelchair for mobility. While these goods are only a fraction of what Zion needs, they will go a long way to helping him better endure his current situation as a high level quadriplegic without proper healthcare and the means to leave his bed on the floor. Tomorrow,…

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A Birthday Celebration – Sponsored by Mr. Lala Udogadi

People with Disabilities have gathered here today, June 28, 2021, to celebrate with Mr Lala Udogadi for his son's birthday.Lala Udogadi is a friend to the less privileged. He is a friend to the disabled. On many prior occasions he has lifted some of the burdens of people with his generosity.What better way to describe him than as a gentleman, a kind hearted person, both humble and God fearing.In appreciation for the food, drink, and transportation fare he provided, we pray and say God bless you and your family.Happy birthday to you Lala Udogadi! Remain blessed.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBl9JBKKk60

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Scouting for Wheelchairs in Owerri, Nigeria

Today, Dubel Disability foundation went on a scouting trip with the hope of soon purchasing some usable wheelchairs for a few people with spinal cord injury who are currently bedridden as a result of not having a wheelchair. We know that having a proper wheelchair is an important step for someone with SCI to get part of their life back by enabling them to perform daily activities and even get back to work in some cases. A sincere appreciation to Mr Erik and his friends who are trying hard to make sure that we can get wheelchairs for those that…

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My Life on the Floor – Ibemere Zion Chichetam

I'm Ibemere Zion chichetam. I was born in Amaraku Isiala mbano IMO State Eastern Nigeria.I was applying for admission into the University around the time I had a traffic accident eleven years ago. I sustained a spinal cord injury at C1- C5 complete. I was taken to several different hospitals which were the Federal Medical Center in Owerri, the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital and National Orthopedic Hospital both in Enugu. My family spent all that they had. The doctors did the best that they could. They said that I should go for surgery abroad, but my family didn't have…

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The Danger of Living With SCI in a Rural Area – Onwubariri Emmanuel Chidube

Two years after my injury, my family and I were forced to relocate to a small village. My parents had spent all they had on my many hospital admissions in the hopes of me getting my health back.In the village, I was mostly bedridden. I was told to remain still on the floor for my spine to heal. My family and I were afraid that if I didn’t, my back would never not heal. After much time passed by, I finally realized that I had to snap out of it. I learned how to transfer. I began to help myself…

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Repairing the Home of Francis – Sponsored by Julie R.

See Videos of Francis' Life Yesterday, the Dubel Disability Foundation visited Mr. Francis who fell from a palm tree and injured his spinal cord many years ago. Mr. Francis, who the foundation has done so much to help already, was in dire need. His dwelling room was broken at the roof. His ceiling was falling apart. Whenever it rained, the water fell on him. Mr. Francis and his young son couldn’t sleep at night if it rained.For a long period of time now, Mr. Francis had neither trousers, sandals, nor a clean shirt. Recently, his rain barrel was stolen, and…

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My Three Years on a Cement Floor – Onwubariri Emmanuel Chidube

My spinal cord injury was a mystery to my family. Mostly my relatives, who did not understand what a spinal cord injury was, despite the influence of my father, who did know. They convinced us to believe that lying naked on the cement floor would correct my broken spine. After two days on the floor, a “native” doctor was invited by my relatives and parents to treat my spine. There is a belief here in my community that a native doctor can fix a broken bone better than a medical doctor. In case you don’t know, the so-called native doctor was…

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Why SCI Lack Education and Work in Nigeria – Onwubariri Emmanuel Chidube

Most people who are living with spinal cord injury in Nigeria are unable to participate in the economy and have mostly dropped out of society.People with SCI in Nigeria are not likely to advance in school. This happens because of the lack of infrastructure in schools which is wheelchair accessible. As a result, few people with SCI in Nigeria have a university education or degree. The lack of accessible transportation system is another factor which hinders them from going to school.In the rare situation where someone with SCI can manage to get to the school, he or she will find…

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Societal Stigma Against People with Spinal Cord Injury in Nigeria – Onwubariri Emmanuel Chidube

Societal stigma is the disapproval of, or the discrimination against an individual based on there social characteristics that serves to distinguish them from the other member of the society, societal stigma are mostly related to culture, race and gender etc. People with spinal cord injury in Nigeria can attest to societal stigma at every point of their lives. Factors that are mostly responsible to these in Nigeria are mostly culture and gender related. In my first year as a person living with spinal cord injury, for six months I was afraid to go out or associate with anyone. After this…

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