Naomi Akwee’s Story
Meet Naomi Akwee, a 29-year-old Ugandan lady from Lira District, northern Uganda. Ten years ago, Naomi’s life changed completely when a spinal infection and car accident she was involved in resulted in a spinal cord injury.
In her story below, she narrates how this altered her life course, how she rose above it and vowed to live life to the fullest. She went through the Disability Inclusion Academy fellowship programme to become a Disability Inclusion Facilitator.
Early Life
I was born and raised in Lira District, northern Uganda. Growing up, I wanted to be a lawyer and a tailor – interesting combination, I know. I loved crocheting and sports, particularly swimming and netball. The year I was on my high school’s netball team was the first (and probably last) time the school ever won a trophy! Basically, I was your average happy-go-lucky girl till my late teens.
Turning Point
In 2011, I got a spinal infection and I was also involved in a car accident which brought my life to a screeching halt (pun intended). I got a spinal cord injury which rendered me unable to walk again. I went into a dark place of anger, resentment and depression. I did not accept what had happened and the fact that my life had changed forever. In a second, I was ushered into the world of disability and had a rude awakening to the challenges that came with it.
Living with a spinal cord injury, I need constant medication to perform my daily activities and have a social life outside of my home. These drugs are not always readily available as they are imported and often quite expensive; majority of us (living with spinal cord injuries) rely on rehabilitation centres to access them for free. These centres also rely on donors to offer these drugs.
My access to reproductive health services also changed dramatically; apart from being unable to physically access some centres, the attitude of the clinic staff got negative. Often, I would get told, “You disabled person, what are you doing here?”. Access to assistive devices is also quite difficult; taxation makes these devices expensive. Luckily, I have been able to access mobility devices with help from friends and family. My social life changed as well. At first, the attitude of people in my community was largely negative; many times, I felt like this was their world and I was an intruder.
Choosing Life
After being bed-ridden for 3 years, I decided to not let my disability define me. I resolved to fight, and to make my life worth living. I was the captain of my life; and it was up to me to steer it in the direction I wanted.
I joined a support group through the Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Uganda. I met new people just like me, who mentored me and taught me to live positively. My support group changed my outlook on life. They taught me that living with spinal cord injury may not be easy, but with the right people around you, you can be happy. I joined a SACCO (savings group, like a VSLA) in my community.
Naomi with her wheelchair basketball team
I started to play sports again – wheelchair basketball. The sport is a rehab tool but also a way to meet other people. It is often an escape from the real world – being among other people with spinal cord injuries; a chance to catch my breath before getting back into the community.
I also started my knitting business! I had learnt to sew as a child by watching my aunt do it. I started off knitting/crocheting as a means to cope with what was going on in my life. It helped to relieve stress and get me in a better mood. I remember the day I sold my very first scarf – April 14th, 2014. It was eye-opening; I started taking my skill seriously and knitting for sale. My business started growing slowly and got even better when my aunt got me a knitting machine in 2018. My clientele grew and so did my skills. I also started tailoring and teaching other people who were interested in learning the skill. To-date, I have trained over 130 people, majority are women and most of them don’t have disabilities. This has also become an opportunity to bring about change in the mindset of the general community about people with disabilities.
Items from Naomi’s sale catalogue
This whole experience, acquiring a disability and learning to live with it has taught me a lot; I thought my life had ended but I switched to positive thinking, I accepted it and moved on. Because of this, I have mentored children and adults with spinal cord injuries, spina bifida and hydrocephalus on positive living. They look up to me to feel “normal” and to believe that they too can shape their lives for the better. Being a mentor also gives me a challenge and responsibility to keep on growing and taking on new opportunities.
The road ahead
Naomi receives her certificate of completion of the 6-day Training of Trainers
I am currently undergoing training to become a Disability Inclusion Facilitator through the Disability Inclusion Academy organized by Light for the World. This has been life changing. It has opened my eyes to so many possibilities and taught me to look at disability and the role I could play from a bigger perspective.
I have learnt a new way to look at the barriers I face and what can be done about them at a personal and community level. I plan to apply the lessons I learn to my personal life first then transform my community.
Watch this space 😊
