David Anyaele has narrated one of the most defining moments in his personal history—an incident that led to his present disability.
“As I was meditating how far the Lord God has led me, I appreciate better that it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.” He began.
Mr. David Obinna Anyaele is the Executive Director of the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities. He is passionate, zealous and committed to issues and plights that concerns humanity.He took to his Facebook page to share experience of how he lost his limb in Sierra Leone
“On the 19th of January 1999, the RUF rebels chopped off my hands because of my identity as a Nigerian, and our then government was supporting ECOMOG Peace Keeping in Freetown. That experience changed my world. Suddenly I found my self in the disability community without any idea of what the future holds.
As if I entered into a pit, I was unleashed with discrimination, isolation, stigmatization and exclusion because of my disability. I am looking differently, without hands.
At the military hospital at Yaba, one of the Doctors told me that it is easier to manage other forms of disability, but without hands, that’s very difficult. That was very heavy for me. I resolved to myself that I need to accept my condition if I must survive.
I recall the day my mum came to see me for the first time without hands at the hospital, I promised her that as long as my head is on my neck, I will survive. I only need USD.50.00 (fifty dollars). I still have my friends abroad I can export Nigeria products to.
It was not easy to access rehabilitation and reintegration support from the governments. Abia State Government rejected my appeal for support to procure artificial hands. Federal Government of Nigeria not only rejected my request to procure artificial hands but went ahead to grant asylum to the man that masterminded the killing of Nigerians and amputation of my hands and that of other Nigerians in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
It was my interest to give peer support to newly amputees at the hospitals in Lagos State that exposed me to other persons with disabilities. Amputees Rehabilitation Foundation, now Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) was established to support the promotion of an inclusive society free from discrimination, isolation, stigmatization and exclusion on the grounds of disability.
I want to appeal to my friends to please remove any form of barrier against persons with disabilities, to ensure equal opportunity and participation in the socio-economic activities in society on equal basis with others. Say NO to discrimination against persons with disabilities.
I want to thank God for all those that released themselves to be used by God to lift me up from the pit of disability. Please accept my appreciation. I am still a work in progress.
Looking back to my life, I can testify how great and mighty our God is, how merciful is His love towards me day after day. He is a great God.
To God be all the glory.”