BY JOE GURINA

EVEN THOUGH you are living with a disability, how you live your life does not have to differ from anyone else.

People living with disabilities are able to live life to the fullest and do what abled bodied people can do. Take a leaf out of Sadam’s book.

Sadam is vision impaired but he can perform normal everyday tasks just like those who are blessed with the gift of sight.

This reporter witnessed this blind man go about his daily chores without a worry in the world. A feat that is quite amazing for one who cannot see his way around.

Sadam intends to undergo a proper eye examination and he is busy tending his peanuts and kaukau (sweet potatoes) to sell to meet the costs.

From Domara village in the Cloudy Bay area of Abau District in the Central Province, Mavo Manu was not born blind and had lived a normal life from since birth. Born in 1962, he was nicknamed ‘Sadam’ but he succumbed to blindness in 1990.

Sadam married his beautiful wife from Domara in 1980 and produced four beautiful children, three girls and one boy. Life was normal for them until 1989 when the good Lord took away his dear wife’s life.

Having just discovered his disability and with four young children to bring up without a mother’s love and support, Sadam struggled to provide for his children.

“No matter with the disability I had, I sacrificed myself to bring up my kids. To make ends meet for my kids’ school fees and other necessities in life, I weaved mats to sell as this was the only avenue I sourced income,” he said.

His vision is 80% and his greatest wish is to seek medical assistance. But he cannot save the required money for the medical examination as he is concentrating on his last born son’s school fees who is in grade seven at Domara Primary school.

Sadam has seven granchildren from his three daughters.

With the aim to go for the eye examination, he is planting peanuts and kaukaus to sell and pay the remainder of his child’s school fees this year while the rest of the money will go towards his medical examination.

Despite his disability, Sadam has stood up and taken on the role as mother and father to his children.

This man though being blind, had sacrificed his time and effort in doing whatever that is possible for a change in life.

Phil Fitzpatrick comments: “This was in the Weekend Courier last week.  I wonder if PNG Attitude readers would like to make a donation?”  Phil, if you can identify how to get the money to Sadam, I'm good for $100 - KJ