Childhood disability not an impediment for proud Unisa alumnus

Overcoming poliomyelitis in early childhood was the path to academic and financial freedom for a proud Unisa alumnus who is now an educator and, beyond his profession, advocates for psychological wellness and holistic independence among persons with disabilities.

Born and raised at eMatikwe, Inanda, a village in the north of Durban, Thulani Blessed Ndimande was diagnosed with poliomyelitis at the age of three. This condition culminated in a disability that undermined his hopes for a bright future that every child growing up might dream of reaching.

But what is poliomyelitis? Commonly known as polio, poliomyelitis is a highly contagious viral disease that affects the nervous system. The polio virus causes it, and its primary victims are children under the age of five. From the age of three onwards, Ndimande couldn’t walk. The polio resulted in muscle weakness and unsteady balance. “I learned life from the ground,” Ndimande mentions, describing how his condition compelled him to crawl until finally acquiring a wheelchair for mobility.

When people concluded that his disability would determine his life’s fate, Ndimande recognised an opportunity to prove that a good remedy to being treated with pity is to excel in everything that you do. As Marcus Aurelius wrote in his classic meditations, “The impediment to action advances action; what stands in the way becomes the way”.

Ndimande holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, which he obtained from Unisa. As he preceded this qualification with a National Diploma in Management, he knew that ultimately, he would switch to pursuing a qualification in education through Unisa. Currently, he is a departmental head at Meson Lincoln Secondary School.

“Among the universities I thought of, Unisa was unparalleled,” Ndimande says. He believes that the flexibility to study, work, and be present to his family could be seamless only because he chose the university of his choice, which is well known for shaping and defining tomorrow.

His grit to motivate people with disabilities surpasses his epic triumphs in academia and his personal life. He has published a book titled Four Stages of Disability. “Every life has chapters,” Ndimande says, “and all the chapters of my life stretched my potential, tested my determination to live and necessitated constant psychological motivation.” Through his book, Ndimande intends to share with people with disabilities that they are not alone and can also achieve their goals.

Asked about the pillars of psychological support throughout his journey as a student at Unisa, he ascribes his academic resilience and fortitude, both inside and outside the classroom, to Unisa’s KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Counselling and Career Development Unit. Reflecting on his moments of pride as a Unisa student, Ndimande is grateful to be one of the students who has worked with the Student Representative Council (SRC) to establish a Unisa Disability Desk at the Durban Campus. It was a collaborative milestone that was bigger than himself, and he felt that he was living a life of purpose as a student when he was subsequently selected as chairperson of the association.

His memory of how Unisa staff were committed to keeping the university environment friendly and conducive to students with disabilities stands out as one of the highlights of being a Unisa student.

“I believe any disability is not a touchstone to predict how far a person will go in life. Excellence is what will prove that people should accept you as you are, although some people will still show pity,” Ndimande notes. Asked about his take on how to coexist congenially and professionally with persons with disabilities, Ndimande emphasises, “If you are coexisting with a person with disability, whether at school or at work, I recommend that you show them love rather than sympathy. People are not the same, and you don’t want to be unintentionally offensive.”

Ndimande maintains that his life is a testimony of grace and personal virtues, namely, courage and determination. “Through my story, I hope to inspire, educate and use all reachable platforms to encourage persons with disabilities that success is possible, regardless of physical limitations that culminate from disability,” he concludes.

* By Mxolisi Phakeme Nxumalo, Communication and Marketing Intern (KwaZulu-Natal Region)