Co-founder and Executive Director of MD Nursery and Primary School, Lagos State, Omolara Adedugbe, has said that the school has succeeded in erasing the stigma of special children from those with disability. She said that the school which was started as a school for students with special needs was founded in the bid to prove that challenged children could also ive normal lives.
Adedugbe founded the school along with her husband, late Dr. Anthony Bamidele Adedugbe, 30 years ago.
Adedugbe, who spoke with newsmen at the 30th anniversary thanksgiving of the school at its Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos State complex, said the objective of the school has been achieved though it has been very challenging.
She said the vision of the school was that of her husband, a specialist doctor in dealing with children with disabilities, who wanted to enable parents see that they do not have to keep their children with special needs at home.
She said that some of the special needs children have grown to become prominent members of the society, with one teaching in the Special School of MD Nursery and Primary school, having obtained a National Certificate of Education.
“The whole idea was to erase the stigmatisation of being a special child.
“We were the first in Lagos, but after the success we recorded, many others have also followed suit. We initially had challenges with parents who had regular children allowing them to mix with the special children.
“I must say the journey in 30 years has been challenging, but with lots of successes.
“One special child is now a teacher in the school here. So also are the regular children also doing well. Many are professionals in different fields.”
Adedugbe advised parents with special children not to lock them up at home but give them the opportunity to develop their God-given talents, adding: “If they mix with regular kids, they will overcome their challenges.
“We are happy that a lot of parents are now coming out with their special children.
“And those with regular children have seen that being a special child does not come with anything contagious.”
Adedugbe said that structures have been put in place for the sustenance of the initiative, saying that the fact that the school continues to thrive after the death of her husband showed that the structures have been created.
“With or without me, the school can go on. The vision is now being run by others.
“I started the school with my husband who had the vision. He died 10 years ago and 20 years after, we are still standing.” [myad]
