BBN - A LOOK AT LIFE JOURNEYS: The Dilemma of People with Disabilities

In our society, people with disabilities still too often bear the brunt of prejudice and marginalization. Yet, behind this vulnerability links radically different paths: on the one hand, those who fight daily to achieve independence through work; on the other, those who, driven to desperation by precarious circumstances, resort to begging. Our investigation into the underlying reasons for a choice dictated by survival or dignity reveals a dilemma.

For many, homelessness is not a choice, but the end result of social and familial isolation. Wrongly perceived as a burden by their loved ones, some vulnerable individuals end up internalizing society’s negative view. Left to their own devices, they settle on the side of roads, dependent on the generosity of passersby.

This is the bitter reality of a woman whose initials are F.S. Deprived of any safety net, she confides: “I receive no assistance whatsoever. It is solely because of my disability that I am forced to set up my stall by the roadside.” For her, exposing herself like this is the only way to survive, even if the earnings are meager. “There are days when I barely earn 500 CFA francs. It all depends on the number of customers, but this amount is never enough, because I have children to feed.” Faced with a motor impairment that paralyzes one of her lower limbs, entrepreneurship seems like an insurmountable obstacle: “I can’t work; my foot doesn’t function. Even though I can use both arms, it is extremely difficult for me to start a business.”

In contrast to this distress, others refuse to accept their health condition as a fatal flaw. Varence Nantori has chosen the path of resilience. Despite the obstacles, this craftsman has ruled out charity as a viable option.

“I chose to become an entrepreneur because I didn’t have a job,” he states proudly. « It was out of the question for me to sit by the roadside and beg. I preferred to learn a trade. » Alone with his destiny, he earns his dignity through hard work: « No one supports me financially. I rely solely on myself to provide for my family. »

For Varence, disability sometimes serves as an excuse for taking the easy way out. His perspective on begging is uncompromising, but tempered with advice: « I think some people take advantage of their situation to ask for money. Yet, with a little effort, you can always find a small job or offer services suited to your abilities to earn an honest living. » “Beyond individual experiences, these two opposing perspectives raise a crucial question about the overall perception of disability in our society.

On the one hand, the image of begging perpetuates the stereotype of dependence and pity. On the other, the effort to integrate through work proves that productivity and independence are possible. In light of these poignant accounts, one question remains: what model of the future do those who choose begging present to their peers who are still hesitant to take the step towards autonomy?”

Deodora ALLOGBE (Intern)