Hope has the power to transform lives, even in the face of overwhelming challenges.
For 22-year-old Abubakar, who grew up in a suburb of Chanchaga in Niger State, hope arrived after years of pain, unanswered questions, and the lasting effects of untreated leprosy. His story—and that of others living with disability—shows how the right support can restore dignity, independence, and a future once thought impossible.
Abubakar’s life has been hard. He was infected by leprosy when he was just nine years old, but his mother did not recognise what the infection was. As the pain, soaring temperatures and strange patches kept appearing on his body his mum sought help from a herbalist in the neighbouring state. Unfortunately, the herbal medicine did not help Abubakar’s nasty sores and general health.
It took another three years before someone alerted Abubakar’s mum of a leprosy hospital in Chanchaga. A test conducted at the hospital confirmed that Abubakar had leprosy. Not surprisingly, both mother and son were frightened by such a diagnosis. They were alone, as Abubakar’s father had left them.
The leprosy had done its damage as Abubakar could not even hold a pen due to the progression of the disease. He was desperate to study. He loved learning new things, but was held back because of his disabilities caused by the leprosy.
Unfortunately, leprosy can unintentionally cause other issues for those impacted, as simple things such as lighting or moving a lamp, become impossible because of the damage done to hands and feet. For Abubakar, a lamp which provides light in the darkness, became another obstacle, as it was accidentally bumped, fell on Abubakar’s leg, causing a nasty burn.
The doctor recognised the extent of the infection that had developed on Abubakar’s leg and told mother and son that his leg would need to be removed.
This is a story that can be repeated in different ways across many families in places where leprosy is still a thing. They do not have access to the resources to be properly cared for.
Abubakar’s story has positive outcomes. The Leprosy Mission, with the support of UK’s Caterham Overseas Trust, manages the Orthopaedic Centre in Chanchaga which specialises in producing mobility aids for people who are disabled by leprosy. Abubakar’s life has been radically changed thanks to the work of this centre. While Abubakar’s leg had to be amputated, the skilled staff at the Centre gave Abubakar back his life with the gift of a prosthetic leg.
Without a leg, Abubakar’s ability to make something of his life would have been negatively impacted. Abubakar would have had a very different life if he had not chosen to have his leg amputated, and be fitted with a prosthetic leg.
Friend of Leprosy Mission Australia, Joel Fernandes’ life would also have been very different if he had not received the support of Motivation UK and been gifted with a wheelchair to give him personal autonomy, without which he would still be relying on people to carry him around.
Joel was awarded the Most Valued Player on the ground in the final of wheelchair competition at the AFL Open Grand Final Day last month when his Queensland team competed in Melbourne, finishing in second place. He has not looked back since he received the gift of the wheelchair. You can read more of Joel’s story here.
Abubakar now has the opportunity to learn a trade, earn an income for his grandmother, mother and himself and to know he has a future.
Both these men, from different countries, with different opportunities, different stories, would have had a very different life if they had chosen to say ‘no’ and not ‘yes’.
No doubt, as you read this you will think of people you know who live with some kind of disability that impacts their life each day. You will also recognise your friends, colleagues and relatives who engage every day with others unimpeded by their disability because of the support that is offered in ways that were never available in the past.
We wish you well, Abubakar and Joel. May you each make a mark in your corner of the world. Thank you for saying yes to the opportunity presented to you.
This Christmas, you can give people like Abubakar comfort and joy below.
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