We have little control over the tendency of society to stigmatize us, he observed. However, we can determine our response”
David Anyaele is Disability Activist, social worker, Founder/Executive Director at the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD). Widely recognized for notable roles he has played, and still plays in the Disability Rights Crusade, Anyaele continues to be a strident voice in the Disability advocacy arena.
As a disability hero of our time, Anyaele exemplifies the uncanny ability of the human spirit to triumph over its circumstances through a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA). Mr David is a living testimony to the truth that: “a man’s spirit will bear him up in his infirmity…” The journey of this survivor into the world of disability began in 1999. That year, David was a victim of the Civil War in Sierra Leone where he had his fore limbs cut off by rebels. This was the beginning of his challenges.
Prior to that tragic loss of limbs, Anyaele, a typical Aba man, was into business and things were going smoothly.
Then it happened!
How did David respond?
THE MAN, HIS ATTITUDE, AND HIS ALTITUDE
It is said that attitude determines altitude. Even before he speaks, Anyaele’s story proclaims the message loud and clear: “ Never underestimate the power of maintaining a positive attitude in the face of the biggest obstacles”. And Keith Harrell reaffirms this truth in his book, “Attitude is Everything”.
Indeed, the strongest antidote to coping favorably with disability remains having a right attitude.
David responded to the unexpected with an uncommon Positive Mental Attitude. He says that’s the most important key to rising above his disability. Even while in hospital he demonstrated HOPE, for the one who was supposed to receive succor turned out to be the succor giver. Hear his response during an interview on how he felt about life without limbs while in the hospital:
“Yes, I had no doubt. I told my mother who was crying over my situation that she should not worry. I spent seven months in the hospital and in all that period, I never feared or troubled myself about anything. The only thing I was asking God was to heal me. I needed spiritual healing as well as physical. The understanding was that if I healed spiritually I wouldn’t be lost. I would be able to interact with myself and my environment. I would be able to see things only positively”.
This mindset served David well. He refused to allow his lack of limbs put a limit on his possibilities for successful achievement as a human being. This mindset was key to surmounting the challenges that came with his condition.
And anyone can draw hope and inspiration from Anyaele.
STRUGGLE FOR A PROSTHESIS: THE TRIUMPH OF TENACITY
A survivor who knew what he needed to achieve what he wanted… And he went all out for it.
Tales of Clenched Teethed Determination
On his discharge from hospital, Anyaele needed artificial limbs (prosthesis) to maintain a decent level of independent living. The cost of acquiring this was put at #5 million. Despite not being able to afford the sum, David remained resolute in his determination for an independent life. He recalls: I wanted to be able to do things for myself. Things like eating, dressing, using the restroom, writing driving, etc. I didn’t want my privacy intruded. I needed artificial limbs to efficiently do these things.
He approached the then Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu for help but got none. Turned down by Government officials and Ministries, this marked the beginning of stigma and discrimination. Anyaele recalls being deserted by friends and acquaintances during those early days. They distanced him on the grounds that he was going to be a liability. These disappointments were enough to break the weak-willed, but not the fighting spirit in this champion. David the giant-killer instead drew motivation from these.
Emotionally devastated, yet unshaking in his determination to make something of himself, this disability war veteran picked up the broken pieces and relocated to Lagos to start life afresh. His fighting spirit eventually paid off when kind hearted individuals, influenced by his doggedness offered help, and he got a pair of artificial limbs from Germany in 2003.
Here’s one of his Overcomers nugget for folks living with disabilities:
Never let your disability make you a liability. By striving with a Positive Mental Attitude for independent living, you not only retain your dignity, you command respect in due course. And David did command respect with his achievements over the years.
DEALING WITH STIGMATIZATION AND ISOLATION.
David reminds his fellow travelers on the highland of affliction of the realities of stigmatization and isolation. These are major barriers faced by Persons with Disabilities, noted the disability war veteran. We will all experience it in various shades at one point or the other.
When asked to comment on his struggles to rise to where he is today and gain recognition by society, David highlights overcoming stigma and isolation as the turning point.
“We have little control over the tendency of society to stigmatize us, he observed. However, we can determine our response” – and it shouldn’t be self-isolation. For me, these two barriers were the biggest to my advancement in life.
Fortunately for me, I rose above them.
To succeed, you have to walk right through the society with all its stigmatization.
IN RETROSPECT …
David further gives credit for his ability to cope with the challenges of his life to family support and education.
On family, he says he was privileged to receive great home training from parents. At age eight, he was a member of an Adventist Youth Society (AYS), formerly Missionary Volunteers (MV). There he learnt about contributing to society and supporting people.
On Education, David believes it is key to competing favorably in today’s competitive society, more so for Persons with Disabilities.
AN INTIMIDATING RESUME.
David holds Masters of Science in Law & Diplomacy from Babcock University, Bachelor of Science in Management Science from the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, Diploma in Public Relations from Business Education Examinations Council (BEEC). A member of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, he is also on the board of a number of Civil Society Organizations – among them are the National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities, Civil Society Coalition on Sustainable Development. He is the Chairman of the Disability Subcommittee, Crosscutting Committee, Nigeria Vision 2050, President, Nigeria Sitting Volleyball Federation and Convener, Coalition of Disability Organizations in Nigeria. He has received many accolades and awards to name and works, among them are Disability Champion Award by DIAL Awards 2019, Defender of Justice Award by the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), and the Gold Star Award by the International Visitors Leadership Program of the State Department, United States of America.
The Disability Champions Series, a collaborative project with Madam Joy Bolarin, Executive Director, Jibore Foundation, is anchored by Ogheneruemu Alexander (Disability issues blogger).
Special acknowledgement to T.O.L.A Foundation for constant back up supports.
Published April 25, 2022