Miriam Abena Eshun is 11 years old. She has shown resilience in her quest to access formal education despite the daily struggles she encounters as a result of being physically challenged.
In the classroom, she encounters particular difficulties, often having to stand for hours to write due to her physical limitations, as sitting poses additional obstacles for her.
It’s 6:15 am here at Assorko, a small community in the Shama municipality of the Western region, where 11-year-old Abena Eshun starts her day, just like any other child.
Despite the challenges posed by her physical disability, which affected her mobility from the age of six, Miriam is resolute in her pursuit of education.
Her physical condition makes walking difficult. But undeterred, she walks approximately 600 meters to school each day.
Miriam is an asset to her school, actively participating in cleaning the compound and classrooms.
However, her condition poses a major challenge in the classroom. She has to stand for hours, unable to sit and write.
“When it comes to writing, Miriam’s condition makes it challenging for her to sit still, so she often writes while standing. Her handwriting can be difficult to read, but due to my experience teaching kindergarten for over ten years, I’ve developed the ability to decipher her writing,” said her teacher.
“Other teachers, however, struggle to read her work. Nevertheless, when given the time to carefully mark her papers, Miriam consistently performs well and is one of the top learners in the class,” stated her teacher.
Miriam’s story is not an isolated case. Many physically challenged children nationwide face similar challenges.
Assistant Head teacher of Nana Brekrom Model D/A Primary School, Grace Eshun, wants Miriam’s parents to seek medical attention for her.
“We also believe that sending her to a special school might exacerbate her condition. In her current environment, she actively participates alongside her peers. Until she sees a specialist who can diagnose her specific needs, it’s challenging to determine the best course of action.
“As her teacher, I recognize she has special needs, but I’m unsure of the underlying condition. A specialist’s assessment would help identify the issue and recommend the most suitable support,” she explained.
The parents are yet to seek any medical attention for their daughter due to financial constraints.
The father, Christopher Eshun, is appealing for support to help Miriam overcome her physical challenges in accessing education.
“As a father, I’m struggling to find ways to support my daughter in this situation. I’m reaching out to the general public for assistance. She experiences tremors while writing, which her teachers find challenging to assess due to her unique writing style.
Despite excelling academically, her condition poses difficulties for both her teachers and peers. She often writes while standing, as she finds it hard to see and write while seated. I’m humbly seeking help and support from kind individuals to aid her,” he appealed.
Advocates argue that failing to provide inclusive facilities deny children with disabilities their right to education.
The question begging to be answered is how long must they wait for this change? Meanwhile, Miriam continues to fight for her future, standing resiliently against all odds.
By Ebenezer Atiemo|ConnectFM|Takoradi
