Daily Independent (Lagos)
Isioma Madike
21 September 2009
interview
Lagos — Kexter Donald Jnr, a polio survivor and Business Administration graduate, is also a freelance writer and online publisher. He talks passionately, in this interview with Head, Covers & Investigation, ISIOMA MADIKE, about his journey through life; how he survived Polio and why he decided to set up a rehabilitation centre to help others overcome the burden of Polio.
Excerpts:
What informed your thinking about Welfare Centre for Survivors of Poliomyelitis (WELCENSUP)?
When I first got to the Netherlands, right from Schipol Airport to my final destination in Amsterdam, I was treated like a special person simply because I was physically challenged. People like us are adequately catered for by the government and the larger society, and it is like that all over Europe and America. The physically challenged people are treated like kings in Western world and they do not lack most basic things. The government encourages the physically challenged people to succeed. I have a friend in Europe that is also a polio survivor. He is my mentor and currently a parliamentarian in Europe. This is a rarity in Nigeria more so for a polio survivor. In fact, I really enjoyed my stay in the Netherlands and I had good reasons to remain there but I felt I could also initiate a noble cause in my country and champion a process to rehabilitate polio survivors so that we can contribute to the growth of our economy.
What is poliomyelitis?
Poliomyelitis is popularly known as Polio, but medically referred to as poliomyelitis. It is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. The virus enters the body through the mouth and multiplies in the intestine. Initial symptoms are fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and pain in the limbs. It can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours.
What are the immediate manifestations of Polio? Also, what categories of people would you say are most vulnerable?
One in every 200 infections leads to permanent paralysis (usually in the legs). Among those paralysed, five to 10 per cent die when their breathing muscles become immobilised. Polio mainly affects children under five years of age, but occasionally, it can affect adult. Example of such is the case of the 32nd President of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He is arguably remembered today as one of the most successful Presidents in American history. At the age of 39, Roosevelt contracted polio and suffered paralysis in his legs. Although he never fully regained use of them, he did not let it hinder him and eventually funded research into an effective vaccination against polio. He served as president from 1933 - 1945.
Is there a cure for polio?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for polio at the moment, but it can only be prevented. The general knowledge is making sure that your child receives the polio vaccine. I recommend that parents consult their family doctor for more details.
At what age did you contract polio?
According to my parents, I was barely 18 months old when polio affected my left leg and I was in the University Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan for four years and six months. It resulted in my left leg being shorter than the right one by about two and a half inches. You know what? If one is victimised by polio, it affects your whole system. When you walk, your gait becomes unusual because you go from side to side. And because this affects your vertebrae, you also get nerve damage. You see, polio is part of my life. I really want to do whatever I can within my ability to help polio survivors in this country and encourage vaccination in Nigeria and Africa at large. I am a testimonial to what vaccination could do. By that I mean, if I had the privilege of being vaccinated as a child, I might have escaped the disease.
Is that what WELCENSUP is all about?
WELCENSUP, as an independent, Nigeria-based, non-governmental organisation (NGO), is all about people, who had the infection at one time or the other. It is about survivors of poliomyelitis, as well as non-disabled individuals, who are equally passionate and committed to using education, advocacy, research and networking, with a view to enhancing the lives, dignity and ultimate independence of polio survivors.
What are the other things you intend to do with the programme?
Our programme is aimed at ensuring that survivors of poliomyelitis in Nigeria will be adequately catered for, made productive and self-supporting citizens leading full lives with dignity. And our immediate task as support group is to mobilise support for the systemic rehabilitation of existing polio survivors in Nigeria, thereby making it possible for them to go through skill acquisition programmes that would ultimately usher them into social integration.
Would you call yourself an activist of sort?
Well, we are in the vanguard of those championing the campaign for the eradication of polio from the shores of this country, and we are resolutely committed to providing the requisite strategic support and information that will enhance the welfare of polio survivors.
Although WELCENSUP is a small charitable organisation, we also plan to set up a network of polio survivors' health clinics and mobile clinics that will be run by trained physicians in Nigeria, which will treat between 25,000 to 50,000 children and young patients every year.
Is there any individual or group that is currently supporting the realisation of the ideals of WELCENSUP?
We are delighted that Nollywood actress, Ngozi Ezeonu is fully committed and has taken on the challenge of an ambassador of the organisation. It is a challenge because she is not disabled yet passionate enough with unwavering zeal to help raise our profile and sensitise the general public to support WELCENSUP's ideals and values. I might also add that she has equally recruited her colleagues in the Nollywood industry to champion this noble cause.
There is no doubt that WELCENSUP is a noble cause, yet, a feat that is capital intensive. How do you intend to surmount this challenge?
You are absolutely correct; it involves a huge sum. Our plan is to have a strategic relationship with the general public, both local and global. We also intend to solicit the support of United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF). In the same vein, there are other NGOs willing to collaborate with us in our bids. I am sure you are aware of the efforts of both the state and federal governments to eradicate polio; we intend to tap into that opportunity for area of synergy.
How about the corporate world?
I believe there is also opportunity in the area of corporate social responsibility in various industries in Nigeria. I strongly believe that what Roosevelt did in America in 1955 is also possible in Nigeria, and we will not give up until we get there. I will simply contribute my bit to make this country great rather than looking out for what to benefit from my government, which may eventually not come.
What are the other challenges of polio victims?
The challenges are numerous, but polio survivors usually go through post-polio syndrome (PPS), a stealthy disease; a deterioration of the muscles that makes you unable to walk under your own steam. It is extremely painful and many develop breathing problems in the process.
I earnestly want other polio survivors to get better medical care and I believe the way to do it is by getting doctors to key into the programme and getting patients educated, because a lot of people are not fully aware about post-polio syndrome at the moment.
Whath advice for Nigerians?
I simply would want Nigerians to know that the suffering caused by polio is largely thought of in the past tense, but polio survivors bear painful testament to the present-day misery wrought by the disease. Polio survivors are currently bound to a tiny skateboards and cheap plastic flip-flops on their hands without hope for wheelchairs, clutches or calipers, let alone hope for the future. My only concern now is that rehabilitation of polio survivors is a path that is less promoted in this part of the world, probably because most people feel less perturbed and the government policy of exclusiveness is not encouraging. So many of us who had polio are today struggling with the late effects of having had polio and yet, because of the lack of awareness about the condition, most of us may not have even heard of Post-Polio Syndrome.
What about polio survivors in the country?
I advise that no matter what their trials and tribulations may be, polio survivors need willpower and bravery to overcome the tears of intolerance, reduced or limited movement, and the apathy of non-accommodating attitude of most people in our society.
I will also advise that they do not have to give up the struggle for a better future. I believe strongly that we can actually contribute now in constructive ways to our immediate community, nation and the world at large. As a polio survivor that has experienced what others are currently going through, I am well-informed about their predicament, and I know that the survivors need a little push to get there, hence we founded WELCENSUP to cater for the needs of those that will not see their disability as a hindrance to attaining purposeful life.
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