Weekly Trust: Can you tell us briefly about yourself?
Kafayat M. Muhammed: I am Muhammed Modupe Kafayat from Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State. I was born and raised in Lagos State from a humble family. I grew up like a normal child and went to a regular conventional school, as I was not born visually impaired. I attended the Ave Maria Montessori Nursery & Primary School, Ikeja and Command Day Secondary School respectively in Lagos State. I Proceeded to Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State where I obtained my LLB in 2006 with a Second Class (Lower Division). I went for the NYSC for the 2007/2008 session. Early 2010 after getting admission into the Nigerian Law School, I started having issues with my vision which led to my admission being differed, because my vision was too poor for me to go on with the programme.
After several surgeries, I was advised by doctors to go for training in a blind school to be able to pursue my career in Law. I enrolled at the Vocational Training Centre for the Blind, Oshodi, Lagos State in 2012 where I obtained a Proficiency Certificate and was able to use the computer, read and write in Braille and mobility among others. I was readmitted at the Nigerian Law School in 2012/2013 session where I graduated with a Second Class degree also with an Award for Excellent performance from the Council of Legal Education. Today, I am enrolled at the Nigerian Bar and can practice as a Legal Practitioner.
How did you become visually impaired then; was it during your service year?
No, it was not during my NYSC programme. It was few weeks after getting admission at the Nigerian Law School in April 2010. As for the impairment, I usually use recommended eye glasses, but I have no any other issue with my eyes. But in 2010 I noticed that my vision was not clear enough. I thought I had to change my glasses but on getting to the hospital, my doctor referred me to a consultant in Eye Foundation Hospital in Lagos State where I was told that I had retinal detachment. The doctor there tried laser, but it did not work and I was told I had to undergo surgery. After the surgery, the vision was ok and the eye was healing. About two weeks later, I noticed the vision was going bad, I went back and had to go for another surgery which turned my vision very poor. I still go for my check-ups regularly and still hoping the vision will improve and become better for me to read and write the print word.
Have you received assistance from any other organization?
I received a lot of support from my family and I am forever grateful to them. Also, The Vocational Trading Centre, Oshodi helped in my rehabilitation, as today, I can say I am over 87 per cent independent as to doing things for myself. I also thank Mr. Seye Kosoko for being there for me all this while.
You have moved on despite your condition. What works do you handle?
As a legal practitioner, there is limit to what one can do. Presently, I am on my own, I register companies, draft agreement for a few of my and represent people in the court alongside senior colleagues who are my friends. I am looking up to joining multinational companies or organizations to work in their legal department or to work as a company secretary. I am also secretary to two non-governmental organizations.
You mentor students of the school of the blind. What are some of the reactions you get from them?
The reaction is a remarkable one as lots of my visually impaired friends in school are always motivated and willing to strive hard after having a chat with me . When I was at the blind school, I was in the Advanced Class which is the class for those academically inclined, but I still shuttled my time to learn craft work. I can weave slippers, hand bags and produce liquid soap, air freshener to mention a few. So, when I talk to friends, to them I preach what I practice. Nevertheless, there are some who had lost hope because we humans are not the same and we are more tolerant than the other. For grading, the motivational response is about 68 per cent I would say.
Are you doing what you are doing now because of your situation or that is what you have always wanted to do?
I have always wanted to be a legal practitioner and that is what I am today. As for other things I am doing now, I got more inspired doing them after my impairment and I love doing them.
Though difficult, but can you remember what occurred to you when you first realized you were visually impaired for real?
Like any normal human being, losing one’s vision, it’s a prayer for the world to come to an end. It was terrible and I am glad I gave myself a second chance at facing life positively.
Has been visually impaired affected you differently as a child and an adult?
Definitely, yes. I have learnt more to appreciate myself and any human being especially one with a deformity. I have also learnt that God created us beautifully as what will life be for a visually impaired without the hearing organ or smelling organ. I am also a more patient person and my sense of reasoning is remarkably higher.
In what ways does being visually impaired affects you and your family?
My greatest fear was how my family will relate with me. Growing as a child my siblings seek my opinion on most issues. Today, my position is far greater and I really thank God for that. When decisions are to be taken, they wait for me before final conclusion. My family after God is a huge reason for my strength and motivation.
What is the greatest strength and weakness about being visually impaired?
For strength and weakness, it is a matter of personality. For me my strength are a lot and endless. As a properly trained visually impaired, you marvel at people a lot with what you can do yourself and as such people want you around and are willing to assist. Personally, I make myself happy and that is a great strength for me. Doing what the sighted can do or for the sighted to be seeking for help from you as a visually impaired is a thing of joy. For my weakness, I have a problem with the road as our Nigerian roads are not visually impaired-friendly. I have to spend a lot on cab in order to move around town and that costs me a lot .
Are there any tools that assist you?
Wow….a lot. People usually think that the visually impaired only use brail, which is wrong. During my programme at the Nigerian Law School, I never touched the brail. I used the computer which I am versatile on and I browse the internet efficiently.
The products or gadgets include Computer system, reading soft ware like JAWS, TALKS, Voice Over from APPLE, Optical reader, Scanner, I Phones, I Pad, Intel E-book reader, Stylus and Margbour, Railing machine, guide cane, weather detector, colour reader, Book magnifier, Open Book, talking Watch, talking calculator, whistle kettle, talking fridge to mention a few.
Do you relate more to your visually impaired friends or the sighted ones ?
I relate to both sides very well, most times people can’t even tell the difference and are surprised when they find out that I am visually impaired.
What are your hobbies?
I like reading, cooking and doing lots of exercise. You should not be surprised that visually impaired do that. I am a medalist for running 100 metres and long jump. Being a visually impaired person has not restricted me to living out my life as it was destined to be.
What advice can you give to people in your condition?
We should all put God first. I tell you it is not easy, it takes only the grace of God to survive our kind of situation. It is only God that can pacify one as you have to be strong and try to keep sanity. In 2010/2011, I thought life could not go on as I could not imagine life without vision. I thought that was the end of my life, but today I try hard to remind myself of my impairment as I tend to forget. I am so occupied with lots of things, it is either am at a lecture or I am on the internet or I am writing a book.
Pray hard and always know that life is full of struggles and challenges. Ask yourself, if you are not visually impaired, would you prefer to be drug addict, prostitute, cripple or mentally insane? Whatever your answer is, then you know you have a reason to thank God and work hard and be optimistic. Thank God for advent of technology, there is virtually nothing the visually impaired cannot do on the computer and today the world is an ICT village. There are lots of opportunities out there, so get up after the long years of crying and get into a training centre and rehabilitate yourself. Lagos State is a friendly state for the visually impaired and I urge other states to emulate. I never said the road is smooth but it is worthwhile to hit the road and it is full of opportunities and once again, you would be brought back to life.
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