Catherine Edeh, who was recently called to bar, tells Nonye Ben-Nwankwo how she overcame her disability to study law in Nigeria.
How do you feel achieving this feat of becoming a lawyer despite living with hearing impairment?
I feel more than good. I have always
echoed into every listening ear that there is nothing like ‘disability’.
People you see around on wheelchairs and crutches, with white sticks
and dark glasses, those whose main languages are signs and gestures, do
not live with disabilities in the sense many see them. We have so much
potential but we need acceptance, support and encouragement from the
society to be the best we can.
echoed into every listening ear that there is nothing like ‘disability’.
People you see around on wheelchairs and crutches, with white sticks
and dark glasses, those whose main languages are signs and gestures, do
not live with disabilities in the sense many see them. We have so much
potential but we need acceptance, support and encouragement from the
society to be the best we can.
What was your dream while growing up?
Growing up as a kid, I did not have the
dream of becoming a lawyer. I disliked lawyers because in my naive
mentality, I always pictured them as callous people who made the
innocent suffer. Right from primary three, I aimed to be a nurse; the
rationale behind this being that unlike lawyers who hurt and victimise
innocent people, nurses care for and cure people. I wanted to heal
bodies and souls of sick and suffering people. But the devil struck. I
became ill and went deaf in primary five. Subsequently, my family lost
interest in sponsoring my education. I was asked to go and learn either
sewing or hairdressing which I flatly turned down. To register his
seriousness in his decision that I should leave school and go into
sewing/hairdressing apprenticeship, my late dad refused to sponsor my
common entrance examination when I was in primary six.
dream of becoming a lawyer. I disliked lawyers because in my naive
mentality, I always pictured them as callous people who made the
innocent suffer. Right from primary three, I aimed to be a nurse; the
rationale behind this being that unlike lawyers who hurt and victimise
innocent people, nurses care for and cure people. I wanted to heal
bodies and souls of sick and suffering people. But the devil struck. I
became ill and went deaf in primary five. Subsequently, my family lost
interest in sponsoring my education. I was asked to go and learn either
sewing or hairdressing which I flatly turned down. To register his
seriousness in his decision that I should leave school and go into
sewing/hairdressing apprenticeship, my late dad refused to sponsor my
common entrance examination when I was in primary six.
Months after my First School Leaving
Certificate Examination, I was enrolled into a commercial school because
I flatly stood my ground that I must go to school, deafness or no
deafness. This however killed my dream of becoming a nurse because the
commercial school I was admitted into did not offer physics and
chemistry.
Certificate Examination, I was enrolled into a commercial school because
I flatly stood my ground that I must go to school, deafness or no
deafness. This however killed my dream of becoming a nurse because the
commercial school I was admitted into did not offer physics and
chemistry.
How did you become deaf since it wasn’t from birth?
It was accidental, a resultant effect of
a high dose of chloramphenicol injection administered on me when I was
very ill as a kid and was hospitalised at University of Nigeria Teaching
Hospital, Enugu.
a high dose of chloramphenicol injection administered on me when I was
very ill as a kid and was hospitalised at University of Nigeria Teaching
Hospital, Enugu.
How have you been able to cope with it?
Initially, I used to hide the fact that I
was deaf from as many people as I could, because of the stigma. But I
thank God for the divine pathway He paved that led me first to Federal
College of Education (Special), Oyo, where I was truly rehabilitated,
orientated and re-orientated. Today, I manage my deafness very well
because I understand almost everything relating to deafness and deaf
people.
was deaf from as many people as I could, because of the stigma. But I
thank God for the divine pathway He paved that led me first to Federal
College of Education (Special), Oyo, where I was truly rehabilitated,
orientated and re-orientated. Today, I manage my deafness very well
because I understand almost everything relating to deafness and deaf
people.
How was growing up as a deaf child?
Growing up as a deaf child was very
challenging. This was because after I became deaf, I neither got
rehabilitated as early as possible nor joined the deaf community till 12
years later when I got admitted into Federal College of Education
(Special) Oyo where I started interacting with deaf colleagues and
learning sign language. It has been an interesting and rewarding journey
since then. Nevertheless, despite the challenges I had before I
proceeded to Oyo for NCE in Special Education, I had supportive friends I
met during my commercial school days, and my family, neighbours and
relatives who believed in me and would always go out of their ways to
make me feel comfortable, happy and protected.
challenging. This was because after I became deaf, I neither got
rehabilitated as early as possible nor joined the deaf community till 12
years later when I got admitted into Federal College of Education
(Special) Oyo where I started interacting with deaf colleagues and
learning sign language. It has been an interesting and rewarding journey
since then. Nevertheless, despite the challenges I had before I
proceeded to Oyo for NCE in Special Education, I had supportive friends I
met during my commercial school days, and my family, neighbours and
relatives who believed in me and would always go out of their ways to
make me feel comfortable, happy and protected.
When did you decide to take the bold step to further your education?
I have always been a strong and
determined child. My family, neighbours and relatives always say I have a
lion’s heart. I do not allow anything or anyone to decide who I am or
will be. So when I lost my dad in my third year in the commercial
school, I forced myself to learn how to stand on my own because my mom
was unemployed and had nine young children to cater for. I pushed out
one of the talents inherent in me for my benefit and I started braiding
hair right from my home. The quality of my service was, and is still
unbeatable. I would invent some styles, freely or cheaply braid any of
the styles on any friendly customer and off they go, bringing more
customers to me. Sometimes I would double, or in some cases, triple my
charge/cost. Soon after, I started doing home services for big ladies
such as local government chairmen’s wives, state commissioners’ wives,
top bankers’ wives and so many ladies in my area. This did not in any
way deter me from going to school. Despite my speedy progress at that
time, I refused to open a hairdressing salon even though I was an expert
in all kinds of hairstyles. I was only saving for my education. After
my commercial school and nobody seemed interested in sponsoring me to
take the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination, I sponsored
myself. I got myself into Federal College of Special Education, Oyo,
till help started coming from my family, relatives and some scholarship
bodies like Nigeria Women Association of Georgia, Gani Fawehinmi
Scholarship Foundation, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, Enugu State Government,
and Federal Scholarship Board, etc.
determined child. My family, neighbours and relatives always say I have a
lion’s heart. I do not allow anything or anyone to decide who I am or
will be. So when I lost my dad in my third year in the commercial
school, I forced myself to learn how to stand on my own because my mom
was unemployed and had nine young children to cater for. I pushed out
one of the talents inherent in me for my benefit and I started braiding
hair right from my home. The quality of my service was, and is still
unbeatable. I would invent some styles, freely or cheaply braid any of
the styles on any friendly customer and off they go, bringing more
customers to me. Sometimes I would double, or in some cases, triple my
charge/cost. Soon after, I started doing home services for big ladies
such as local government chairmen’s wives, state commissioners’ wives,
top bankers’ wives and so many ladies in my area. This did not in any
way deter me from going to school. Despite my speedy progress at that
time, I refused to open a hairdressing salon even though I was an expert
in all kinds of hairstyles. I was only saving for my education. After
my commercial school and nobody seemed interested in sponsoring me to
take the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination, I sponsored
myself. I got myself into Federal College of Special Education, Oyo,
till help started coming from my family, relatives and some scholarship
bodies like Nigeria Women Association of Georgia, Gani Fawehinmi
Scholarship Foundation, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, Enugu State Government,
and Federal Scholarship Board, etc.
Were there people who tried to discourage you by telling you that you wouldn’t make it?
Yes, there were many people who tried to
discourage me with their pessimism. But then, I had already been fully
rehabilitated at Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo. I had grown
to understand myself and the society. I had been tasked with the
responsibility to go out and change the pessimistic views about
disability of many in the society. So advocacy was my weapon against
pessimists.
discourage me with their pessimism. But then, I had already been fully
rehabilitated at Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo. I had grown
to understand myself and the society. I had been tasked with the
responsibility to go out and change the pessimistic views about
disability of many in the society. So advocacy was my weapon against
pessimists.
The schools I attended however were
strong pillars of support to me. I made use of interpreters throughout
my university and Law School programmes, with the total support of the
schools. More importantly, they were financially responsible for the
remuneration of the sign language interpreters and speech to text
caption provider I used, thus making me the first deaf Nigerian/West
African female to make use of the system, and even influence Law School
to start adopting the system. I did not for once hide my deafness from
any of the school authorities.
strong pillars of support to me. I made use of interpreters throughout
my university and Law School programmes, with the total support of the
schools. More importantly, they were financially responsible for the
remuneration of the sign language interpreters and speech to text
caption provider I used, thus making me the first deaf Nigerian/West
African female to make use of the system, and even influence Law School
to start adopting the system. I did not for once hide my deafness from
any of the school authorities.
How easy was it with your studies?
It was not easy. Studying Law is a very
difficult task for those who are not deaf. To a completely deaf person,
the challenges can be argued to be ten times greater. I passed through
so much unspeakable stress. But all these need to be kept behind. The
fact that I have been admitted into the Bar has rewarded my efforts.
difficult task for those who are not deaf. To a completely deaf person,
the challenges can be argued to be ten times greater. I passed through
so much unspeakable stress. But all these need to be kept behind. The
fact that I have been admitted into the Bar has rewarded my efforts.
By the way, why law?
I know many people are always curious to
ask me why a deaf person would opt for Law. But my desire to study Law
was intensified after I got into the deaf community and discovered the
magnitude of human rights violation deaf people are subjected to daily. I
used to think that I was the only deaf person in Nigeria that suffered
so much discrimination and stigma until I joined the deaf community. The
extreme human rights violation many of us passed through are
unspeakable. There is need for structures to be put in place to
safeguard the rights for persons with disability in Nigeria. My passion
for fairness, justice and equity; so that innocent kids and unborn
children with disability do not grow to suffer the same fate and
discrimination we passed through, necessitated my choice of law. That is
not all though.
ask me why a deaf person would opt for Law. But my desire to study Law
was intensified after I got into the deaf community and discovered the
magnitude of human rights violation deaf people are subjected to daily. I
used to think that I was the only deaf person in Nigeria that suffered
so much discrimination and stigma until I joined the deaf community. The
extreme human rights violation many of us passed through are
unspeakable. There is need for structures to be put in place to
safeguard the rights for persons with disability in Nigeria. My passion
for fairness, justice and equity; so that innocent kids and unborn
children with disability do not grow to suffer the same fate and
discrimination we passed through, necessitated my choice of law. That is
not all though.
Nigeria till today has yet to have
Disability Law. I did not major in disability Law. What I majored in was
Common Law. Common Law is a grand law that is made up of the received
English law, Nigerian legislation or statutes, case laws and delegated
legislation/judicial precedents. There is no single activity or expected
task/responsibility that I was granted waiver on ground of disability.
Be it seminars, mooting, assignments, tests, exams, court and chamber
attachments; I did all just like my other non deaf colleagues did. So
nothing stops me from practising what I was trained in. Therefore,
wherever I see the platform and opportunity, I will practise and help
promote equity. I want people to have faith in me and give me all the
needed support to continue to bring out my best. If I could make it
through the university and NLS beautifully, it means I will make it even
much better in the courtroom.
Disability Law. I did not major in disability Law. What I majored in was
Common Law. Common Law is a grand law that is made up of the received
English law, Nigerian legislation or statutes, case laws and delegated
legislation/judicial precedents. There is no single activity or expected
task/responsibility that I was granted waiver on ground of disability.
Be it seminars, mooting, assignments, tests, exams, court and chamber
attachments; I did all just like my other non deaf colleagues did. So
nothing stops me from practising what I was trained in. Therefore,
wherever I see the platform and opportunity, I will practise and help
promote equity. I want people to have faith in me and give me all the
needed support to continue to bring out my best. If I could make it
through the university and NLS beautifully, it means I will make it even
much better in the courtroom.
Right now, I am still observing my three
months Mandela Washington Fellowship. When I am through with the
internship, I will forge out how to move forward. I observed my chamber
attachment with Chief Mike Ozekhome’s law firm in Abuja. Also my court
attachment was with Court 4 of Federal High Court Headquarters, Abuja.
months Mandela Washington Fellowship. When I am through with the
internship, I will forge out how to move forward. I observed my chamber
attachment with Chief Mike Ozekhome’s law firm in Abuja. Also my court
attachment was with Court 4 of Federal High Court Headquarters, Abuja.
Were there times you were mocked or ridiculed when you were younger?
Yes, there were numerous occasions. It
was not easy growing up as a deaf child in the SouthEast without
rehabilitation. But I thank God all these are now in the past. I have
been rehabilitated. The mockery or ridicule I passed through for over
ten years before my rehabilitation also helped to remold and strengthen
me a lot. So today, ridicule or whatever it may be no longer gets at me.
Everywhere I find myself, I make it my primary responsibility to
advocate for inclusion. The gallon of tears I have shed every night in
solitude for so many years and the stigma have taught me that if I
continue subjecting myself to endless tears without taking steps to
redress the injustice, things will never change.
was not easy growing up as a deaf child in the SouthEast without
rehabilitation. But I thank God all these are now in the past. I have
been rehabilitated. The mockery or ridicule I passed through for over
ten years before my rehabilitation also helped to remold and strengthen
me a lot. So today, ridicule or whatever it may be no longer gets at me.
Everywhere I find myself, I make it my primary responsibility to
advocate for inclusion. The gallon of tears I have shed every night in
solitude for so many years and the stigma have taught me that if I
continue subjecting myself to endless tears without taking steps to
redress the injustice, things will never change.
Could that be the reason why you have an NGO?
Yes it is. I strongly needed a platform
through which I can always reliably sensitise the society and project
virtues and benefits to community of people with disability in Nigeria
and beyond, hence the NGO- Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI). The NGO
has been touching the lives of many people with disability in so many
ways. For instance, with my experience as the first deaf Nigerian
Mandela Washington Fellow, we in VDI mentored the second Nigeria deaf
female who is currently with Presidential Precinct.
through which I can always reliably sensitise the society and project
virtues and benefits to community of people with disability in Nigeria
and beyond, hence the NGO- Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI). The NGO
has been touching the lives of many people with disability in so many
ways. For instance, with my experience as the first deaf Nigerian
Mandela Washington Fellow, we in VDI mentored the second Nigeria deaf
female who is currently with Presidential Precinct.
What kind of experience have you had with men?
It has not been totally bad. I have met
hearing men who admired me but do not have the guts to make moves
because of my deafness. I have also met some who tried hard to scale the
wall of deafness and get close to me. But I must admit that the problem
is more with me than with those men. I play hard mainly because I feel
insecure. I find it hard to trust hearing men because within me, there
is always this feeling, this voice that always reverberates and warns me
not to trust hearing guys too lest they ruin me, reminding me always
that I am deaf. Even with the deaf guys, there is little or no
difference. There was a time I got the nickname ‘deadwood’ from deaf
guys because of my manner of resisting overtures. But I thank God who
paved a path through which I met the man in my life now without either
of us planning it. He is deaf too; a very responsible and God-fearing
person. We understand each other very well and have never had any issue
since we came together. I thank God for having him.
hearing men who admired me but do not have the guts to make moves
because of my deafness. I have also met some who tried hard to scale the
wall of deafness and get close to me. But I must admit that the problem
is more with me than with those men. I play hard mainly because I feel
insecure. I find it hard to trust hearing men because within me, there
is always this feeling, this voice that always reverberates and warns me
not to trust hearing guys too lest they ruin me, reminding me always
that I am deaf. Even with the deaf guys, there is little or no
difference. There was a time I got the nickname ‘deadwood’ from deaf
guys because of my manner of resisting overtures. But I thank God who
paved a path through which I met the man in my life now without either
of us planning it. He is deaf too; a very responsible and God-fearing
person. We understand each other very well and have never had any issue
since we came together. I thank God for having him.
Were there times you almost gave up because of your challenge?
Yes. After I became deaf and yet to
learn sign language or join the deaf community, there were times I would
feel too bitter, especially after seeing some of my old playmates who
at that time were avoiding me out of ignorance. When I got so humiliated
or stigmatised, I would give in to self pity which bred frustration and
on very few occasions, gave way to the thought of committing suicide. I
thank God however that I did not give in to such thoughts of suicide.
When eventually the divine plans of God started to unfold in my academic
life, the thought of giving up for whatever reason never got
entertained. My slogan throughout was ‘Winners never quit and quitters
never win’ and ‘Today’s pain is tomorrow’s gain.’
learn sign language or join the deaf community, there were times I would
feel too bitter, especially after seeing some of my old playmates who
at that time were avoiding me out of ignorance. When I got so humiliated
or stigmatised, I would give in to self pity which bred frustration and
on very few occasions, gave way to the thought of committing suicide. I
thank God however that I did not give in to such thoughts of suicide.
When eventually the divine plans of God started to unfold in my academic
life, the thought of giving up for whatever reason never got
entertained. My slogan throughout was ‘Winners never quit and quitters
never win’ and ‘Today’s pain is tomorrow’s gain.’