How I defied all odds to live a fulfilling life – Physically challenged man

Views: 27

Joseph Egenti, a physically challenged man from Nkwere Local Government Area in Imo State, has opened up about his journey through life with a hunchback condition, defying societal expectations and superstitions about individuals with physical deformities.

In an interview, Egenti shares his experiences, challenges, and how he met his wife, Gift, amid stigmatizations.

Background

Born into a family of five in the city of Lagos, Joseph Egenti did not have an easy childhood. Growing up in the Orile area, he recounted the constant mockery and cruel statements from others due to his condition.

Hunchback, also known as kyphosis, is a physical deformity often associated with a forward curve of the spine. It has been linked to superstitions for centuries, particularly in African societies where physical differences are often misunderstood or feared.

Egenti, however, refused to let societal discrimination define him. He described how the love and support from his family and friends played a major role in helping him rise above the taunts.

“Even when people laughed at me, I didn’t let it get to me. I always saw myself beyond their words. I related with those who aspired to be great, and that has kept me going,” he said.

Failed medical attempt

Egenti wasn’t born with the hunchback condition. He developed it at the age of four. His family sought medical help, but a major surgery to correct his spine never materialized after the death of the doctor handling his case. His father, a banker with United Bank for Africa (UBA), had already made arrangements to send him to India for treatment. However, fate had other plans.

“The doctor told us it was a 50/50 chance of survival, and after he died, my mother became even more skeptical. We had already spent a lot of money, and my mother said maybe it was God’s will that I stay this way,” Joseph shared.

Despite the failed medical attempt, he remained optimistic and focused on living a fulfilling life like others, pursuing education, and eventually starting a business.

Societal perceptions

In African societies, physical deformities like hunchback are often met with fear and superstition. In many regions, individuals with such conditions are perceived as cursed or bearers of bad luck.

People with deformities like Joseph’s have been subjected to discrimination, ostracization, and, in some extreme cases, violence. Superstitions in the medieval period even suggested that hunchbacks possessed magical powers, further separating them from society.

In his interview, he recalled that people saw hunchbacks as “aliens” or “cursed people” and often believed they brought misfortune. However, he chose to rise above these misconceptions and define his path.
“I don’t judge myself through what people say. I don’t see what they call me to be negative, I only work towards it and move on.”

Determined to make something of himself, Joseph ventured into the sachet water business as a supervisor and also a bagger, using his earnings to fund his education. He graduated with a National Diploma in Accounting from Lagos State Polytechnic. “It wasn’t because my father couldn’t train me, but I wanted to turn people’s reasoning around. I wanted them to know that I could stand on my own,” Joseph emphasised.

Joseph admitted that one of the most challenges he faces is during job interviews, where people often assume he’s incapable due to his physical appearance. However, he has consistently proven doubters wrong, excelling in his various endeavours.

“I went for a job interview some time ago, and the interviewer questioned, “Do you come for an interview?” I responded “Yes,” then he said, “No. We can’t take you,” Joseph recounted.

How he found love

Joseph’s journey to finding love was not without its challenges. His beautiful wife and auxiliary nurse, Gift Joseph-Egenti, recounted how her friends mocked him when they first met. Rumours about his physical appearance, and his alleged interest in several women, initially caused her to avoid him.

“I already had this hate feeling for him based on what my friends said. Approaching me twice, I ignored him but one day, when he tried to speak to me by hooting his car; even his car bumper got damaged in the process. I stopped when it was almost becoming a scene. I had to respond by shouting, ‘I don’t like you!’ Then he called me, and told me that I should not judge him on what people said about him… So that day, we exchanged contacts,” Gift recalled.

According to Gift, despite the initial criticisms from her friends and family, she got attracted to her husband due to his calmness, intelligence, and care. They married in 2018 after three years of dating.
Speaking on how they ventured into content creation, she said,

“When I posted the picture of my wedding, it went viral. Later, my friend advised that we should just continue seize the attention to create contents. This brought about the contents on our Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram, and Youtube with the handle, “madam oyin and family.”