By Fabian Ekeruche
The Irede Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has concluded arrangements to hold its annual advocacy walk to make People With Disabilities (PWDs) feel inclusive in the world.
This is contained in a statement by the Executive Director of the foundation, Mrs Crystal Chigbu, on Tuesday in Lagos.
Chigbu said that the walk, to be staged across 60 locations globally, would hold on April 8 at 7.00 a.m., at Ikoyi, Alimosho and Ikorodu areas of Lagos.
She said that the event titled: “Out On A Limb,” is the 10th edition of the disability advocacy walk.
Chigbu described the walk as a family-friendly event that lovers of the foundation always look forward to.
According to her, the theme for this year’s event will stress the need for people with disabilities to be in an inclusive world.
“Out On A Limb will be the platform for people with disabilities to care about and see themselves as part of the larger world.
“It will also give other people the opportunity to see how disabilities and exclusion affects those concerned and how we can all build a more inclusive society,” he said.
The executive director noted that unfortunately, the cost of acquiring a prosthetic limb had risen to an average of ₦1.5 million because of foreign exchange market.
“Right now, the average cost of a prosthetic limb is ₦1.5 million.
“This is very expensive; so, we keep trying our best to make it more affordable but it really isn’t easy, which is why we also talk about prevention a lot.
“There are certain amputations that are unnecessary, that should have been easily avoided but took a different turn due to negligence and ignorance,” she stated.
Chigbu added that the foundation as an NGO encouraged children living with limb loss (either acquired or congenital) to live a fulfilled life.
The foundation, established in Nigeria in 2012, has as its mission to inspire action so that children amputees, their families and caregivers can live independent and limitless lives.
They achieve this through the provision of prosthetic limbs to child amputees from ages 0-18 years, disability advocacy, support groups for caregivers, and skills development trainings for Persons With Disabilities.
