Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia
John Obinna Chukwuma Ukoumuneh is crying out for help to stay alive. He needs an estimated $27,000 for a corrective surgery in India, which would restore his frame and mobility to the hitherto manageable level.
A polio victim right from his baby days, the 44 year old person with disability(PWD) from Isuikwuato, Abia State, has been making the best out of the precarious condition he found himself.
He had “struggled” to make it to India where he underwent surgery to correct his deformity to some extent. Rods were implanted to his ribs and spine to strengthen his frame and enable him walk, albeit with clutches.
But his fragile frame has fallen apart following a fall he had last year and his family could not source the funds needed to take him back to India for another surgery. They had over the years exhausted their financial resources to make Obinna live a normal life, at least to an appreciable level.
Presently he is writhing in excruciating pains and can hardly move about. His mother, Okwuchi Ekeoma Ukumunah, who had given up her nursing profession since August 1980 to care for his deformed child, is equally crying out for help.
According to her, Obinna’s present predicament ensued shortly after his return from the second phase of his project for blind students in Abia sponsored by Global Giving.Org.
She said: On his return from the School for the Blind in Umuahia he fell while climbing the steps and broke many of his already fragile ribs and spine.
“The inserted rods also injured him severely. He is in terrible pain and can hardly walk”.
“We are, therefore, appealing to well meaning Nigerians for assistance to enable him travel to India for remedy,” the distraught mother said in tears.
Obinna has tried hard to defy the limitations and inferiority complex imposed on him by his deformity. He studied Guidance and Counseling at the University of Ibadan and has devoted his life to helping the physically challenged and blind persons overcome their challenges.
He runs a nongovernmental organisation, JOC Foundation, which is focused on “touching lives” and helping the physically challenged to live meaningful lives.
Through this NGO, Obinna has carried out a number of programmes and projects, especially in Lagos and Abia States to help the PWD live meaningful lives by shaking off low self esteem and discovering their hidden talents. But he must stay alive to continue his laudable projects in the society.
“I’m dying in pain and I need help to stay alive,” he said, adding, “I don’t want to die: I want people to help me”.
Obinna needs to be saved from his life threatening situation so he could stay alive to continue his humanitarian activities among his fellow PWD.
