This is a typical story of one making the best of what is supposed to be disability and turning it into ability meant to inspire others.
This young man, Simeon Djagbo, who holds a degree in Library and Information Science and is currently running a Master’s degree programme has despised odds despite being born without fingers and palms.
The Delta state indigene from Ughelli South Local Government Area can do alot of things that people with complete fingers and palms might not be able to do.
He can play musical instruments swim, cook and incredibly writes with his feet. By the time he was almost five years old, his musical talent had become noticeable.
He said his musical talent is “a gift to showcase God’s wonders and be a blessing to others who feel hopeless.”
Unbelievably, Simeon had started out as a drummer before an incident in his life led to his playing the guitar.
Recounting his story, Djagbo said, “My church brought a man to teach the guitar to others. I was in the drum section just watching as he was teaching a lady to play a progression on a particular song. I watched the way the lady’s fingers were moving on the strings and I was capturing it in my head. When she dropped it, I picked the guitar up and played it exactly the way she was taught and everybody was shocked, because I was not taught how to play it. Although, I was always sneaking to play the guitar because some concerned people felt I would injure myself. I kept at it and became better. I feel God divinely directed me to the guitar.”
Djagbo who seemed unabated by his condition maintained that God created him that way for a purpose.
He appreciated the support of his parents, siblings,relatives, teachers, classmates, and peers that inspired him.
He said, “My parents never gave up on me and treated me like a king; they supported me financially and prayerfully. I wanted to enroll in a primary school, but the school administrators rejected me because they felt I could not write. They also felt that my physical defect would scare off children from the school. My parents got information about a school owned by a white woman, St. Lukes Nursery and Primary School in Warri, Delta State. From there I moved to Sure Success College, Warri for my secondary education. I later gained admission into Delta State University, Abraka where I read Library and Information Science. For the mandatory National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, I served in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State and I am presently running my Masters programme in the same University,”
After his NYSC scheme,companies refused to employ him due to his physical condition.
“I submitted my CV to INTELS in Port Harcourt through a friend who believed in my ability despite my challenges, but the Human Resources Manager who had initially promised to help later said he doubted my competence because I had no fingers,” Djagbo says, recalling the pain of that rejection. But being a person with an unstoppable spirit, he simply dusted off the disappointment and continued as if nothing happened.
Djagbo gave a piece of advise to all those who are capitalizing on little disabilities and resorting to begging on the streets.
He said, “I want to say the greatest challenge that a man can have is a handicapped mind and not physical challenges. I believe that God who created me like this has a reason and a bigger and better plan that will take me to an expected end. Any challenge I face is a process to fire me up to become a better person in this world. No one is physically disabled except your mindset is. And I believe that it does not limit you from being who you are destined to be in life. Everyone is born with at least a talent. It is your duty to discover and make use of it. Like the Bible says in Proverbs 18:16 ‘A man’s gift maketh room for him and bringeth him before great men.’ Trust me, no one has any excuse.”
“The fact that Jesus lives means I can face tomorrow. I wake up praising Him because He owns my future, and I know I am a great child of destiny. I am inspired knowing that I am a friend of God and that even the angels are envious of me. God is alive and I see that the future is so bright for me.
Meanwhile, he disclosed his plans to attain greater heights in his career. “I hope to become one of the most sought after gospel bass guitarists both in Nigeria and abroad. I also want to be a blessing to people and put smiles on their faces, “I believe the money will come too,” said Djagbo.
