The Edo State Chairman of the Association for the Deaf, Mr. Kingsley Eromosele has called on the Edo State Government to create a commission for people living with disabilities, so as to take care of their special interests. Eromosele also commended the state government for passing the Edo Disability Law.
Eromosele who made the call during a Christmas party held for gifted children by Christabel Otueroro Foundation in Benin City also appealed to members of the public to be patient with children with disabilities and not to deprive them of opportunities for developmentt.
Eromosele who is a board member of Christabel Otueroro Foundation further said, “It is only with the creation of a commission for people living with disabilities that their interest will be catered for. We are all created by God, that is why the society must be patient and understand us.”
“If you cannot help, do not hurt or take advantage over the disabled, treat them the way you treat other children and be ready to communicate with them. The parents of a disabled child should make them to be independent and educate them,” he added.
The Executive Director of Christabel Otueroro Foundation, Mr. Onome Otueroro said this year’s Christmas Party for gifted children, with the theme, “We are human and should be treated as such,” is an annual event.
“We call on parents of physically challenged children to join the Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disability of Nigeria to discuss the way forward for the welfare of those who are visually and hearing impaired, those on wheel chairs and the mentally retarded
“The parents should not be tired of their physically challenged children because it is not their making. They should be extra patient and adjust their lives to those of their children. A parent without a child with disabilities does not know how it is, because it is a different world entirely. Do not be ashamed and treat them anyhow,” he added.
Some parents of children with special needs, in an interview with our reporter, lamented the rising cost of drugs prescribed for them and appealed to the government to come to their rescue, while others in their testimonies said though their children were handicapped, they are brilliant and they thanked God for their lives.
There was distribution of gifts to the children, dancing and merriment during the Christmas party.
