A mother's story: How my daughter with hearing and speech impairments chased away armed robbers

In a recent report by Punch on September 15th, 2023, Sherifat Emitomo, the mother of Temitope Aina, a 21-year-old woman with hearing and speech impairments, spoke to BOLA BAMIGBOLA about her daughter's condition and how she is managing. Temitope has learned the skill of hairdressing through an apprenticeship, but she has not yet opened her own salon.

Emitomo believes that Temitope caught the attention of Adewumi Adeyemi, the lawmaker representing Obokun State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, through her lively and passionate demeanor at political gatherings. Additionally, Temitope displayed great bravery when she chased after robbers who had stolen money from a leader in the Peoples Democratic Party in Ibokun. This act of courage garnered admiration from the victim and other party members.

During Adeyemi's reelection campaign, Temitope was attacked by a member of the opposition party and beaten with a talisman. Despite the incident, she survived, and the PDP covered her medical expenses. This event further raised Temitope's profile and led PDP leaders to take an interest in helping her.

Temitope has had hearing and speech impairments since she was very young, and all efforts to help her speak have been unsuccessful. She made the decision to pursue hairdressing instead of formal education after her sister's husband passed away, and she moved to Ibokun. Emitomo wanted her daughter to have a skill, so she asked Temitope what she would like to do, and she chose hairdressing.

Emitomo and Temitope effectively communicate using sign language, and Emitomo understands her daughter well. Temitope faced challenges in finding someone to teach her hairdressing due to her condition, but she eventually found an instructor who accepted her. She excelled in her training and is skilled at various hairstyles when described to her or shown in pictures.

Adeyemi generously purchased equipment for a hairdressing salon for Temitope, which surprised and delighted Emitomo. However, Temitope does not currently have a shop, and assistance is needed to secure a location, purchase goods, and complete the necessary preparations before she can start her salon.

Emitomo concludes by appealing to parents and the public not to consider individuals with physical challenges as hopeless. She emphasizes the importance of caring for children with disabilities, providing them with guidance and training, as they are still capable of achieving their full potential.