I’m a father of two, living in Maiduguri. My youngest child, Amira, is six years old and has a disability – she is deaf. It has been a journey learning how to communicate with her.
As a father, it’s painful to watch your child struggle. But over time, I’ve learned to adapt. I took the initiative to learn sign language, and it has been a life-changing experience. Being able to communicate.
My wife and I take turns helping her with homework, playing with her, and teaching her new things. It’s a team effort that has brought us even closer as a family.
One of the biggest challenges we face is the stigma surrounding disability in our community. Many people do not understand, and some stare or make hurtful comments about Amira. It’s heartbreaking, but we are teaching her to stay strong, ignore negativity, and focus on her strengths.
Amira is a bright, curious child. She loves to learn and explore the world around her. She recently started attending a special school for children with disabilities, and the progress she’s made has been incredible. Watching her grow has been a source of hope for our entire family.
As a father, I believe it’s not just my responsibility to protect and provide for my family, but also to teach Amira to be confident and independent. I want her to believe in herself and know that she is capable of achieving anything she sets her mind to.
However, my biggest challenge now is financial. I am unable to afford proper medical care and medication for Amira in a good hospital. This has affected me deeply, both emotionally and psychologically. I’ve tried everything within my means, but I still cannot manage the costs.
I would have sold any property I owned, but Boko Haram destroyed the house I inherited from my father in our village. The few valuables I had left here in Maiduguri were also burned during attacks – including my car. These losses have left me with very little to rely on. Upon all this, I have to provide a daily meal, which is also another struggle apart from her medication, and I am also facing eye problems. The lack of medication is a vital problem in our lives.
As narrated by: Musa Ibrahim (Maiduguri, Nigeria).
This snippet is published as part of a series, The Day Boko Haram Attacked.
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