I see disability as a trademark for diversity which is the spice of life – Oluwakemi Odusanya
Hi readers, welcome back to the series. For the 18th edition, we bring the thrivor’s story of Miss Oluwakemi Odusanya.
Kemi is the visually impaired host of “Eagles Perch”, a sensitization radio program that educates the public on mainstreaming disability into society. The Mass Communication graduate of the University of Lagos is the Convener, Eagles Voice International for Disability Rights. Through Eagles Voice, Kemi envisions to empower the blind and women with disabilities with skills needed to attain leadership positions in media, politics and the corporate world.
Kemi was project lead at the Nigeria Association of the Blind under the “Inclusion Works project”, a Sightsavers Nigeria project focusing on inclusive initiatives that prioritize persons with disabilities.
I was introduced to Kemi at an event and we hit it off instantly. The Radio Eagle (her alias on radio) exudes a lively outlook, super-keen alertness and passion for her work that’s difficult not to notice. When I request Kemi’s consent to feature as the series’ next champion, she gladly obliges.
In the ensuing interview, Kemi brings some refreshing ideologies and lessons to the disability narrative. For example, to the question – Is it a bad thing? Kemi replies that she sees disability as – “a trademark of variety”, that spice which adds to the flavor, uniqueness, excitement, and motivation of life and the living experience. And she is quick to back up with a witty expression:
“Its’ okay not to be okay, but its not okay when you are fixated on an ideology that does not embrace diversity.”
Setting the stage
Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, Kemi attributes mixed feelings to her family background and growing up years. As the first child, she looked over her younger siblings and helped with domestic chores.
“I love to dance, play, read and run errands. I loved school and education”, she says.
Her blindness, which started in her teenage years was gradual.
“I had a myopic vision and struggled to capture things that are far, so I preferred sitting close to the chalkboard for a clearer view.”
At the General Hospital, Ikeja where she was taken for treatment, doctors recommended glasses, but her dad objected with an excuse that she was too young. However, by her second year in secondary school, she was allowed to use glasses.
“It was really a big relief”, Kemi remembers. But that relief proved temporary.
An episode of blurry vision on the 26th of March, 2006 marked a new twist in her young world. Soon afterwards, Kemi could hardly move around independently. Her sight was in danger.
Retinal Detachment, a failed search for solution… adapting
After doctors at the hospital diagnosed retinal detachment of the right eye, (a serious eye condition with the retina pulling away from supporting tissues – causing blurry vision and/or loss of sight) surgery was recommended. Unfortunately, this led to complications requiring more surgeries and laser joints – neither of which restored her vision problems. At this point, the trauma of undergoing the knives overwhelmed the young girl and she had to take a break from surgery.
Her dissatisfied parents tried out several other solutions to no avail. Thus began the journey to blindness.
How did she adapt to losing her sight? The lady with the eagle’s voice admits that the initial stage was tedious.
She narrates in an emotional recall: “My journey was not rosy. My education was temporarily halted, I struggled with low self-esteem, classmates and immediate cousins deserted me.
“I would sit in the balcony of our house while my younger ones go to school, and when it rains or shines it all comes on me. My mom would cry and plead that I go indoors, but I dreaded to be alone indoors – fearing some unseen humans might harm me”.
Pacelli: Transforming confidence, restoring hope
Thanks to parental enlightenment and the early intervention by a family friend which helped put her back on track. Kemi would attend Pacelli School for the blind and partially sighted, Lagos for rehabilitation. She remembers Pacelli with gratitude:
“I realized, I had to first accept my impairment, regardless of whatever or whoever wants to be of assistance. This gave me more edge at my rehabilitation school. I was able to accept my visual impairment. It took me just three months to master the act of braille reading and writing.
I was able to mingle with friends and family. I never placed my impairment before my success. Pacelli transformed my confidence and restored my hope”.
Armed with remedial skills at Pacelli, Kemi was able to navigate mainstream spaces for her senior secondary and tertiary education with a confidence that proved critical.
Dogged pursuit of Passion: The Eagle’s Perch story
On the plus side, this young champion learned to make lemonades of her lemons. She doesn’t wallow in despondency. Her disability ignites and drives her passion. And what’s her passion?
She captures it thus: “I always wanted to change the narrative. I was surrounded by people who had limited understanding about inclusion, diversity, or equity. I had to be the front horse, to guide the people who do not understand that I am first human before my impairment”.
“My passion to change the narrative about disability within my immediate community and the continent at large led to my designing a sensitization radio program to educate society about mainstreaming disability”.
But her laudable initiative was easier designed than done.
For 3 years, Kemi pressed for the program to be approved. She had to convince the Executive Producer of the University radio about the program’s potential. To familiarize with the modalities of presentation, Kemi took up an internship there.
Her dogged pursuit of passion was eventually crowned. Her initiative was approved and she says “through it, I was able to touch many lives”.
Finding work – combining bull-dog tenacity with ant-like initiative
Kemi embodies dogged tenacity – a trait that has served her well. She knows what she wants and goes after it with the firmness of a bull-dog and the initiative of an ant.
Coming from the horse’s mouth: “After graduation, it was a bit cumbersome to be employed. I submitted my CV to several radio firms as I had a strong passion for presentation. However, when I realized nothing was forthcoming and I am not a fan of idleness, I suggested volunteering with my association (Nigeria Association of the Blind) whilst I await a call-up for my Place of Primary Assignment (a radio outlet). When I was called to begin at my Primary Place of Assignment (PPA), I worked simultaneously at the two organisations. After the service year, I asked to be retained at the Place of Primary Assignment but it was looking impossible. Fortunately, I got a job placement within my PPA to work on a project – ‘Inclusion Works’ a project led by Sightsavers Nigeria.”
Disability work has been a rewarding experience
As project lead of ‘Inclusion Works’, Kemi says she has opportunity to gain experience, unlearn and relearn what it means to design inclusive projects for persons with disabilities.
“I had fun connecting with like-minded individuals and with international organisations like Sightsavers, etc, who do not discriminate on the basis of disability”.
Dealing with the thousand soft cuts – I don’t permit it to linger
I turned the conversation to how she meets the many subtle and outright emotional hurts that come with being discriminated against for one’s disability.
How do you handle these thousand soft cuts? I asked Kemi. Her response comes from superior soul force: “I have experienced discrimination but the surprising thing is that at this moment I am unable to remember any. I don’t permit it to linger in me. I see it as a regular challenge that everyone regardless of gender, location, disability will or have to face”.
However, she agrees that discrimination as evidenced by wrong societal attitudes to disability remains a big threat. “When I say society, I mean people like you and me”, Kemi emphasizes.
“Sometimes, I visit banks, shopping malls with friends or family and rather than talk with me directly, the cashier opts to talk with my assistant. The stereotype is that my inability to see makes me financially irresponsible or unable to engage in meaningful conversations.”
Notwithstanding, she meets all these with a favourite quote of hers:
“No matter how much falls on us, we keep plowing ahead. That’s the only way to keep the roads clear.” – Greg Kincaid.
Exploring the Humor side
Humor has always been a great way to cope with life’s rough punches so I try infusing some light-heartedness into the conversation:
Can you remember a particularly hilarious incident related to your inability to see?
Kemi smiles, and in a moment goes down memory lane: “One incredibly beautiful day, I dashed to the bus station in haste to catch the staff bus. I had no idea I made an embarrassing mistake until much later in the office when a colleague told me, “Do you know that you wore two different shoe designs?” Amused, I bent to feel my shoes and realized it was true. I froze on the chair, unable to step out of my office afterwards”.
I am now extra careful with checking my wears before leaving home, she concludes – still smiling.
Parting advice
To fellow persons with disabilities, Kemi urges:
“Live and let live. You are not the first with a disability, neither are you the last.
Use your disability as a road map to achieve your desires. But it is not a rosy ride. You must show your determination amidst the exclusion and discrimination. That’s how people will give you your flowers – not because of the disability, but because of the worth they see in you.”
Finally, for a parting shot, she tells stereotypes of society: “Look at the rainbow, it expresses dynamism and difference with each color performing its primary functions.
Everyone should be embraced regardless of abilities, shape, etc. That’s how to strengthen everyone to flourish in their uniqueness”.
The Disability Champions Series, a collaborative project with Madam Joy Bolarin, Executive Director, Jibore Foundation, is anchored by Alexander Ogheneruemu (Disability issues blogger).
Special acknowledgement to T.O.L.A Foundation for constant back up supports. Thanks to Joy Tabor of Sightsavers and Terp Vivian Asiana whose kind gestures made this interview possible.