Losing sight at two strengthened my resilience – Omosah, visually impaired lawyer

Melody Omosah is an Assistant Director at the Edo State Ministry
of Justice and President, Network for the Advancement of People
with Visible Disabilities. The father of three tells ALEXANDER
OKERE how he conquered his limitations despite losing his sight at
the age of two

You lost your sight at an early age. Can you tell us
about it?

I lost my sight at a tender age of two after a domestic
accident. I fell from a storey building and I suffered bruises. I
landed on my head and the impact of the encounter made me lose my
sight. At that point, it could not be managed medically; I was very
tender at that time so the management was a bit difficult.

How did it affect your childhood?

Growing up, I realised that there were things I could not do;
but it did not essentially affect me because I saw how I was
different from other children, playing with them and having my
limitations as a result of the visual impairment. As a child, I
took it that that was how I was, perhaps, meant to be. It did not
negatively affect me; I started school early at a special school.
As I grew older, I came to terms with the reality of not being able
to see and do things the way others would do them. I also came to
terms with the reality that I would need assistance. But I was
focused on my education and had my dreams and they kept me
going.

Did you feel bad when, as a child, you heard your
friends playing but couldn’t join them?

Not really. Fortunately, I had parents who were understanding
and did not keep me indoors. I was allowed to try my hands on
several things and mingle with people, generally. It was only in
the course of such that I realised that I really could not play the
way others did.

So, how did other children relate with
you?

That depended on the maturity of those concerned. I recall
vividly that some kids used to complain that I should not be made
to play certain roles. When I played football as a kid, I used to
be a keeper but that did not work out because some would complain
that I was making them lose. I later realised that I could not play
that kind of football.

But growing up, I had parents and siblings who supported me.
When a visitor came to the house, my father would send for me to
meet the person. So, it is difficult pointing out what my worst
experience as a child was.

What inspired you to study law?

As a child, I fell in love with a law programme on TV and told
myself that I would study law. In secondary school, I saw the need
to protect the rights of people generally and to stand for justice;
that was my basic inspiration.

What were the major challenges you faced as a law
student?

As a law student at the University of Benin, it was difficult;
it was not as it is now with the availability of computers. As a
student, it was difficult accessing soft copies of academic
materials. The library then did not have materials; in fact, I
didn’t use the library. I used to depend on students to do my
research; they came over and I got materials from them. It meant
that I had to wait for them and couldn’t get materials as quickly
as others would get them. Other than that, I think I was relatively
comfortable with the course of study; law wasn’t very difficult for
me.

But I had issues with funds. Getting money for law school was
pretty difficult; students had already resumed while I was still
struggling to raise money for my school fees. It was a former
governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, who came to my aid
on his first day in office. On May 31, 1999, I walked into his
office and told him about my financial challenges. He immediately
made funds available and ensured that I went to law school with
minimum problems.

Are you comfortable with people treating you
specially ?

If you think that I have a disability and need to be segregated,
I would not feel comfortable. But if you realise that I have a
disability and you want to fill the gap or empathise, I would be
okay with that. But we recognise our strength and limitation and
would love to be allowed to contribute as much as we can.

I recall that a renowned professor during my time in the
university once told me not to bother to come to school because it
was stressful, and that is just the understanding, even among the
enlightened. There is a lot of awareness that needs to be created
that persons with disabilities can still become who they want to be
if given the enabling environment. Some people mistake
discrimination for special treatment. It is good that there is a
Disability Rights Act in place now that was recently assented to by
the President and that has, at least to an extent, defined what
discrimination is. For instance, telling me not to bother about
participating in a moot court activity and that you would give me a
pass mark is discrimination because it means that I am not good
enough.

Were there times when some persons took advantage of
your condition?

I had good friends, fortunately. Some of my friends had stories
about people who took advantage of them. Apart from the pranks some
persons played on me and which we joked about, I really have not
had anybody taking advantage of me.

What are the things you would say disability has
cost you?

Not having my sight as a child is one (of them) because I would
want to think that I would have surpassed what I have achieved if I
had my sight. It is natural to think that way. But there are many
able-bodied persons and lawyers that have not covered the ground I
have covered as a person living with a disability. I think that
once you put your mind to what you want to do, there is no
limitation. That is my attitude; I see disability as part of the
challenges.

Some are cowed by very little challenges; others brace
themselves for what they face. I have come to accept my situation
and I have braced myself for it. It has strengthened my tolerance
level and resilience. I believe that with determination, even the
hardest nut can be cracked. I designed the Braille ballot guide
that was used for the 2019 general elections to enable visually
impaired persons to vote. If it will take others a year or two to
achieve a goal that takes me five years to achieve, let it be told
at the end of the day, that I also achieved it.

How do you handle the challenges that disability
presents?

If I know that I was born with a disability, I will not feel
awkward when the challenges come. Where I need to get assistance, I
do. Otherwise, I discover other mechanisms to cope. My wish is that
society will become more accommodating of persons with
disabilities.

How would you advise others with similar
disabilities on how they can manage their
challenges?

They need to be very positive in their disposition and not allow
the fact that they have a disability to rob them of their God-given
gifts. Also, they do not need to live in self-denial because it
could prevent them from becoming their best. If you have a very
positive disposition to life and see disability as a stepping stone
and not as a stumbling block, as another bend that needs to be
negotiated and not an end to life, then they would make it.

Are you married?

I am married and blessed with three kids. My wife doesn’t have
any disability.

How did you meet your wife?

I met my wife at a Christian fellowship. While I was at the law
school, I told her that I had an interest in her.

Was it difficult finding a wife?

It was not difficult. I left the University of Benin in 1998,
was at the law school in 1999 and got called to the Bar in 2000. I
got married in 2005 but the relationship started in 2001. It was
delayed for four years because I wanted to get a job; I got a job
in 2003 and two years later, we got married.

What got you attracted to her?

I think she is a very charming and loving person. She is also
very spiritual and intelligent. I think it is a combination of
these.

Did you experience any opposition from her
family?

Yes. I recall that when I told her that I wanted to take the
relationship to another level, she didn’t give me an answer until a
year later. That was because she wanted to brace herself to face
the questions that would arise from her family. The family,
especially the father, did not approve of it. But we were patient
with him; we talked to him. At a point, she told me that she had
made up her mind to go ahead with the marriage. But thank God, the
parents attended the wedding. Today, I am one of the in-laws they
are proud of.

How do you relate with your kids?

I relate with them well. When they were younger, they realised
that their dad couldn’t see. But they love me. My first son will be
in Junior Secondary School 3 soon. I have a harmonious and happy
family.

Culled from PUNCH.