Story and pictures by Thomas Ngala
To those feeling that they can’t do certain things because they are differently abled, disability is not inability, says Rayford Michelo.
Michelo, who is living with a disability graduated with a Diploma in Pharmacy at Evelyn Hone College this year. The 31-year-old has had some challenges in his academic life. When he was in primary school, he would walk long distances to access education, which was not an easy thing for him to do. It became easier for him from the time he went into junior secondary as well as the senior one as he was in boarding school. Coming to tertiary education at Evelyn Hone College, the gentleman worked hard to ensure that he got the Diploma.
Despite facing some challenges in school, his friends and family made Michelo’s life easier as they offered him the support that he needed.
And in an interview after his graduation, Michelo said challenges will always be there “but we always have to stand your ground and do the best. Family has always been supportive. They have never let me down’’.
His graduation left him beaming as he said it felt like a dream to him.
“This feels like a dream, but it just proves that there is always light at the end of a tunnel. This to me means there is light in my life because I know one day I will do something that will really help me and my family,” said Michelo excitedly. “To those feeling they can’t do certain things because they are differently abled, disability is not inability. You can do anything you put your mind into. Whatever any other person can do, you can also do it. As long as you are breathing, you can do anything.” This is contained in a report published by the Mast.