Good day Ladies and Gentlemen. My name is Abigail Alade. I turned 17 yesterday 10/6/18. I was born and celebrated like any other child until delayed developmental milestones and a Doctor’s diagnosis of Down Syndrome changed that narrative.
I had to undergo several surgeries targetted at making me look like other children. I moved through several schools and teachers to stabilize my reading, writing, body co-ordination and speech.
I did not enjoy the love, accetance and friendship children are supposed to get because of the way I looked. Teachers had no patience with me because I am slower than other children in catching up. Most of them never knew of the condition called dyslexia that I also suffered from. They dismissed me, ‘she’s academically retarded’.
Now, those schools and teachers who rejected me would be glad to know now that I am writing Junior WAEC and other exams to fulfil destiny in life.
My mother tells me of several aunties who got married from our home but never considered me good enough to be in their bridal train.
God who has been faithful to keep me alive, give me parents who did not write me off, teachers who were sympathetic and accommodated me. Friends and family that cared for me, I remain ever grateful to Him.
Today I am known as an Engraced child because His grace has sustained me.
We must remember to look to the positives in all situations, there is always a silver lining. Every blessing is sacred and magical, every being is sacred and magical whatever differences or difficulties they may have.
No one has the right to write of any being because there is no disability in eternity.
Every child should be loved, educated and cared for because there are no special diseases only a SPECIAL GOD.