Visually-Impaired Imo Man, 67 Refuses To Surrender To Life’s Many Adversities

By CHIDIEBUBE OKEOMA

Born without visual impairment in 1959, Mr. Uzoma Okehelem of Umueze Ogwa in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State could not have foreseen the cruel, frustrating, and devastating fate that awaited him.

At the tender age of eight, young Uzoma was afflicted by a mysterious illness, later identified as measles, which resulted in his complete blindness. Tragically, this condition has persisted for 59 years, since he became blind in 1967 at the age of eight. Mr. Uzoma is now 67 years old, having lived without sight for nearly six decades. It is indeed a heartbreaking situation.

Throughout his life, Mr. Uzoma has faced numerous hardships. Despite being visually impaired, he possesses a vision for his future and has navigated the most challenging paths life has to offer. His social interactions are severely limited, yet he has steadfastly refused to succumb to life’s adversities.

Due to financial constraints, Mr. Uzoma married late in 2012. Unfortunately, the marriage was short-lived, producing two children before his wife abandoned him, leaving the children in his care and remarrying. Such an experience is truly disheartening.

In 2025, fortune smiled upon Mr. Uzoma when a relative, who was visiting for a family burial, observed his dire circumstances and pledged to construct a bungalow for him. True to his word, the benefactor fulfilled his promise by roofing the house, although it remains largely incomplete.

Undeterred by his challenges, Mr. Uzoma obtained a loan to establish a poultry business to sustain himself. Despite the monthly interest of N25,000 on the N500,000 loan, he remains resolute. He resides alone in an unfinished building, which lacks windows, doors, flooring, and plastering. One room has been converted into a space for rearing fowls. His children live elsewhere due to his inability to provide for them and send them to school.

A visit to Mr. Uzoma reveals a man who, despite life’s adversities, refuses to surrender. He declines to rely on the charity of others or become a burden. Unlike many visually impaired individuals, he rejects pity and refrains from begging for alms.

His resilience and determination to succeed are truly commendable. Mr. Uzoma seeks business partnerships with those in the hospitality and tourism sectors, not for financial assistance, but to establish a relationship with a hotel, eatery, or restaurant owner who will purchase his fowls in bulk. This partnership will enable him to repay his loan and reinvest in his poultry business using his own capital.

Out of the initial 100 fowls, four have been lost, and he seeks assistance to ensure the sustainability of his business. His dedication to his enterprise is inspiring, as he feeds, medicates, and attentively cares for the fowls, recognizing their needs despite his visual impairment.

Beyond his immediate needs, Mr. Uzoma requires our support and compassion. It is imperative to assist him in completing his house, providing doors, windows, cement, sand for plastering and flooring, materials for the ceiling, and a proper sewage system. Currently, he defecates in the bush, which is unhealthy given his condition.

As the founder and president of Stand For Humanity Foundation, I am committed to facilitating his rehabilitation, provided that humanity is moved by his plight. Should you wish to offer assistance, please reach out to me directly.

Here are his account details:

Account Number: 3029528780
Account Name: Uzoma Okehelem
Bank: First Bank

Let us extend our support and demonstrate our compassion. Any contribution, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated.