Lariba Apuwendib aged 50, hails from Garu-Natinga in Northern Ghana. She did not have any disability at birth. Her parents Ndebang Abanga (father) and Akusia Ndeogo (mother) were subsistent farmers who did not pay heed to education, hence she was not sent to school.

When Lariba was about 10 years old, she was affected by poliomyelitis but her parents attributed it to superstition and did not seek timely medical care. Instead they resorted to use of herbs and offering of sacrifices to their gods and ancestors for they believed that it was the doing of the gods and that the gods had power to heal their daughter. Their efforts were not fruitful and they were subsequently advised by a friend to seek medical care. She was then sent to the Presbyterian Hospital in Bawku but it was a bid late as she had already developed paralysis on the right leg. Though she was treated and discharged, the paralysis had come to stay and she was to remain with disability. She was stigmatized by her peers and her family members due to the disability.

Luckily enough, Lariba was identified by a CBR programme officer during a community survey. She was assessed and registered under the CBR programme for intervention. First, she was referred to an orthopedic specialist who had come to Garu from Nsawam to render outreach services. It was confirmed by the orthopaedic specialist that her condition could not be corrected through any reconstructive surgery. She was to live the rest of her life with the disability.

The CBR programme under the auspices of PWS&D Canada, visited her family to sensitize her family and community members on her condition and to disabuse their minds regarding the stigma that were meted out to her. She was subsequently enrolled by the programme into vocational skills training and she learnt to weave kente/local cloths. She became self-employed after a successful pass out. She has become very productive and has many customers who buy her materials.  On the average, she generates about GHS450 per month from the sale of kente which she produces to boost her livelihoods. She has become mistress and offers training to apprentices for a fee. She has about 4 apprentices receiving skills training from her. She is very productive and industrious and well integrated in marriage. Her husband has no disability but has never stopped loving her .They have five children.

 In an interview, during our monitoring visit to her shop, she declared; “May God continue to bless the CBR program and all her partners especially PWS&D, Canada. They have been amazing. They have turned my life around through their love and support .I have become a mentor to those who are learning under me now and hopes to do my best to help them. Whilst expressing my gratitude, I appeal to you to continue help many persons with disabilities out there to enable them have an improved quality of life.”