Grace Egila
People with Disabilities (PwDs) the world over face stigma. This is a primary reason why most of them find it difficult to fall in love or form relationships because a lot of people make assumptions about their conditions instead of trying to understand how they care and express love.
In Nigeria, the Secretary National Association of the Blind, Kano State Chapter, Mallam Abdulrazaq Ado Zango says falling in love and finding a wife to marry is a great feeling for PwD.
“But the issue of marriage for PwDs is no longer news in the country as most persons with special needs are suffering from an emotional illness that in most cases lead to depression or death.”
He disclosed that PwDs maintain a good relationship with normal people but when the marriage issue comes into consideration, the story ends up in tragedy.
“Some parents look at it as a curse for their child to marry a disabled person.
“These mindsets have eaten deep into our society and have caused more harm than good, especially for PwDs”.
Zango revealed that PwDs have a track record of having successful marriages because they express love and care in a unique that only those in love with them can explain.
“Those that have a relationship with us know that we are the best people to ever love and leave with because we have more than sixty percent time for our families.
“I am happily married to a beautiful woman with one child.”
“We love, care, and give all our assets to our family to manage, he added.
He, therefore, urges PwDs in Kano to stand up on their feet and believe that there is ability in disability.
Kabiru Sani Getso with is beautiful loving children
Just like Mallam Zango, Kabiru Sani Getso is also a physically challenged person; he is not virtually impaired but on wheels.
He has over 15 years of working experience at Radio Kano AM/FM.
Getso said amidst life challenges, he was able to obtain a National Certificate of Education, NCE, in Electrical Electronics from the Federal College of Education Technical, FCET, Bichi, Kano.
He is presently running a diploma program in Mass communication at Kaduna State Polytechnic.
He narrated his work history and love life.
“In 2002 I started work with the Engineering Department at Radio Kano but due to some challenges that I could not cope with like the technicality and urgency in service delivery of the radio station.
“I hate being pitied, so as soon as I observed I was not adding value to the department I started to make contributions to the News and Programs Departments.
“Gradually I was deployed to the Program Department where I work with others as a presenter and producer”.
Getso revealed that after 3 years of active service in the department, he was given an entertainment program to anchor.
“When they realized I have Radio Voice, I was allowed to anchor ‘shagali, and ‘Kunnenka nawa’ a popular entertainment program on Radio Kano.”
“I am passionate when it comes to entertainment,” he humorously added.
Getso averred that PwDs deserve a happy life and should be allowed to explore their potential, especially in the area of marriage.
“Disable people have emotions and should be allowed to love and be loved.
“Because of stigmatization, people believe that disabled persons should marry only themselves, which is not fair.
“PwDs desire to marry able-body partners who can assist them to maximize their potentials.
“If we marry ourselves, life will be hell for us,” don’t you think so, he asked.
He bares that he is among the lucky ones who got married to a very beautiful and healthy woman.
“I believe my wife is God’s gift to me, though she faced so much opposition from her family and relatives in the course of our relationship, she didn’t give up on me.
“Today, we are happily married with loving children and living our lives with contentment.
“The body is just a building but the heart is all that matters.”
He, therefore, advised parents to allow their children to make their marriage choices without hurting their feelings, especially if it concerns a PwD.
