My name is Abibat and I am 16 years old.

When I was 5 I lost the use of my legs, and I was no longer able to walk . My mum says it was caused by polio.

Now I need a wheelchair or crutches to move around.

This has made it difficult for me to take part in normal activities.

One day while watching T.V. I saw disabled people participating in sports. It was called the Paralympics. I never knew there was a competition like this.

Then I thought to myself if they can do this, then I can do anything.

I decided then that I too could learn an activity. I wasn’t going to allow disability stop me.

I thought about what I could learn. I chose photography. I like pictures.

I spoke to my uncle who is a photographer, I asked him to teach me. He agreed.

It took me about a month to learn. He even lent me his camera so I could practise.

I started out taking pictures of my siblings and family members with his camera.

My first pictures were not as good as his, but I didn’t let that stop me.

Some people on my street even laughed at me. They asked how someone who can’t walk can take pictures. It made me feel bad. I wanted to stop. My uncle asked me not to allow them to make me quit.

He said I should ask people that tease me to pose for pictures.

I asked some of them to pose for pictures. They liked it. They started begging me to take pictures of them. They sometimes offered to pay.

Now I help my uncle at his studio.

One day I hope to own my studio and camera. I will become popular like T.Y. Bello.

I won’t let this disability stop me from being great.

Hey Springster, are you like Abibat and people have told you that you can’t achieve your dreams. This is not true. People with all kinds of disabilities can be doctors, engineers, singers, artists and so much more.

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