Daniella, a graduate of Integrity International Academy from Gombe State, Nigeria, was not born with a disability. She became visually impaired in 2020 after suffering from a fever. Before her impairment, she had performed well on her Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam and had applied to attend a Police Academy, even participating in their interview. However, shortly after this interview, her life took an unexpected turn.

Initially, Daniella struggled to accept her new reality, often isolating herself by sleeping throughout the day to avoid interactions. Her parents enrolled her in Gindiri School for the Blind in Plateau State, but she soon lost interest, feeling that her life was over and that school held no purpose for her. She expressed her apathy to teachers and peers, and ultimately, the school contacted her parents due to the overwhelming pressure of her disengagement.

In 2023, Rebecca Kwayama Hassan, JONAPWD Women Leader for Gombe state and mentor from the Holding Rights, Leading for Rights Project for Young Women with Disabilities in Gombe State, heard Daniella’s story and intervened. As a fellow visually impaired individual, Rebecca provided counselling sessions, educated Daniella about her rights, and shared inspiring examples of successful people with disabilities. This support encouraged Daniella to return to school.

On September 26, 2023, accompanied by her mentor and uncle, she led an awareness campaign at Kingdom Breed School in Tunfure, Gombe State. During this event, Daniella shared her experience of losing her sight and the challenges she faced, emphasizing that disability does not signify the end of one’s life. She highlighted the rights that people with disabilities possess, discussed the misconceptions surrounding disabilities, and made them recognize that anyone can experience disability at any point in their lives.

The pupils were excited to learn about disabilities, asking questions about braille, how to assist individuals with visual impairments, and the nature of the fever that led to Daniella’s condition. They expressed eagerness for future visits from Daniella and her mentor, which would allow them to see braille firsthand. Daniella’s journey has been a work in progress; she is becoming more outgoing and developing a positive outlook on life. Presently, she has accepted to return to Gindiri School for the Blind in Plateau State.

Daniella’s story reflects the reality for many young women with disabilities in Nigeria, who often navigate life without adequate knowledge of their rights and the systems that support equal opportunities. Through initiatives like the Holding Rights, Leading for Rights Project, young women like Daniella are empowered to advocate for themselves and inspire others, fostering a greater understanding of disability in their communities.