The Feet of Grace Foundation, in collaboration with the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), is passionately advocating for disability-friendly workspaces to promote a more inclusive society.
At this year’s Feet of Grace Hit the Street charity walk in Abuja, dedicated to raising funds for prosthetic limbs for amputees in need, the Feet of Grace Foundation reiterated its commitment to significantly impact the lives of those affected by limb loss.
Speaking at the walk, Founder of the Feet of Grace Foundation, Dr Irene Olumese, who is also a bilateral amputee emphasized the importance of the initiative. She said “The Fit of Grace Foundation came out of my own personal story. In 2013, I lost both legs, and it wasn’t because of an accident, it was a complication of lung transplant. Upon leaving the hospital, I began researching organizations supporting amputees in Nigeria. By 2014, we established an organizing committee, and in 2015, our first charity event took place in Geneva. The following year, in 2016, we formally established the foundation in Nigeria.
Speaking on what the foundation does, Dr Irene said ‘‘We don’t just give legs, when a girl can’t go back to school because she lost her legs, then she needs a scholarship, so we also give scholarships, and seed grants for amputees to startup businesses. Beyond raising funds, we also create awareness, and we want to advocate for a society that is disability inclusive and friendly and recognizes the rights of people with disability. Every amputee can contribute to the society. We don’t need pity, we just need support, and that support comes from being able to enter facilities and do the things that every other person is doing, without being excluded.’’
The collaboration with the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) strengthened the event, leveraging their expertise in advocacy and community engagement.
Babafunke Fagbemi, Executive Director of CCSI and coordinator of the Abuja walk, highlighted the collective effort to create a more inclusive society. ‘‘It is important to be inclusive, in making sure that everyone as the right to live life optimally. Amputees face a lot of challenges in navigating their way in society and amputees have a lot to contribute to development in Nigeria.’’
She further called on well meaning Nigerians to support the Feet of Grace Foundation in providing prosthetic limbs to amputees ‘‘We need to support amputees and the work that the Feet of Grace Foundation is doing. Amputees find it extremely difficult to get a prosthetic because the cost of one prosthetic limb is currently around 1.5 million Naira, and if you are a bilateral amputee, it means that you need 3 million naira to be to get back on your feet again. A lot of Nigerians spend that much to buy luxurious phones and gadgets, so I am imploring all Nigerians to support amputees and make sure they can smile again.’’
Mrs Juanita Chinyere Ashade a retired civil servant and an amputee who joined the walk shared her story, reinforcing the need for societal inclusiveness. ‘‘I lost my both legs in 2018, following an auto crash, which also followed bad management in the hospital that I was taken to. There were challenges that I faced, at then, I was still working, but I couldn’t access the office through the normal route, I had to follow through the emergency exit at the back door, travelling by air is another challenge, at the foot of the aircraft, I have to be carried by 2 or three hefty men like a bag of rice into the craft. These challenges that people with disability can be handled better.’’
Since its inception in 2015, the Feet of Grace Foundation has empowered 183 amputees with prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, repaired limbs, child limb replacements, and supported women in small businesses and students on scholarships.
Looking forward, the Feet of Grace Foundation and the Centre for Communication and Social Impact remain dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for amputees nationwide. Through ongoing advocacy and fundraising, they aim to broaden their impact and ensure prosthetic care is accessible to more individuals in need.
To support the Feet of Grace Foundation’s mission or learn more about their initiatives, please visit their website at https://feetofgracefoundation.org/.
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About Us
The Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) is a leading Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) organization with expertise in utilizing evidence from research to implement effective strategies that address barriers preventing designated audiences from adopting recommended behaviors.
Birthed by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (JHCCP), Baltimore, USA, and registered in 2001 as a Non-Governmental Organization with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria, CCSI continues to work towards being the center of excellence in strategic communications in Africa.
Driven by values of integrity, passion, care, innovation, and excellence, CCSI focuses on the central role of strategic communication to impact behaviors, build brands, and provide technical leadership in health and social development.