“The advice I have for any muscular dystrophy warriors like me is that they should not give up on themselves and they should not give up on life… because there is more to life.”- Rasheed Kehinde Akeusola
Adetiloye Oluwatosin Jekami: How was the experience like studying with muscular dystrophy?
Rasheed Kehinde Akeusola: I thank Allah for his mercy and grace over me. It’s not easy, oh. It’s not really easy, oh. At first, there were no ramps where I started my study in Ibadan (in Nigeria), and because of that, I would have to carry my wheelchair up the stairs with help which was frustrating and challenging. However, when I moved to Osogbo (in Nigeria), the academic setting there was accessible enough. One thing is that it’s really easy to learn when you are focused and determined that you want to learn. You just have to make up your mind that you want to learn.
“…when there is life, there is hope. So you can achieve a lot of things in life when you are determined…”-Rasheed Kehinde Akeusola
Adetiloye Oluwatosin Jekami: What kept you going? Many would have given up.
Rasheed Kehinde Akeusola: It is very challenging not to give up when you are physically challenged and studying. In my case, it is a muscle disease that affects every muscle and the hands. Sometimes, I may be in the exam hall writing, and my hands will be shaking. Sometimes I will find it difficult to move my hands. But what kept me going was the determination to study and be something in life. So, when I think about that, it gives me the energy and optimism that I want to learn. In a nutshell, what kept me going was believing in God, believing in myself, and being focused on achieving success.
“It’s really easy to learn when you are focused and determined that you want to learn. It will be easier when you make up your mind that you want to learn.”- Rasheed Kehinde Akeusola
Adetiloye Oluwatosin Jekami: What advice would you give to warriors living with muscular dystrophy who have concluded that they can not live normal lives anymore?
Rasheed Kehinde Akeusola: The advice I have for any muscular dystrophy warrior like me is that they should not give up on themselves and they should not give up on life. Because when there is life, there is hope. So, they should go out there to achieve what they want to achieve. They should not let their disability hinder them from achieving success in life; because there is more to life. And like I said, when there is life, there is hope. So you can achieve a lot of things in life when you are determined and focused that you want to achieve them.
“I will dedicate this achievement to my parents…especially my mum who has been there from the beginning. If not for her, I may not achieve this success. I draw from her strength because she carries me to the car, and wheels me around when we have exams. She will also sit for hours outside waiting for me to write my exams. The most surprising thing is that she does it effortlessly without complaints of being tired.”- Rasheed Kehinde Akeusola
Adetiloye Oluwatosin Jekami: Who are the people you want to dedicate this achievement to?
“Sometimes, I may be in the exam hall writing the exams, and my hand will be shaking…What kept me going is believing in God and believing in myself and being focused on achieving success.”- Rasheed Kehinde Akeusola
Rasheed Kehinde Akeusola: Firstly, I would like to give special thanks to Almighty Allah who created heaven and earth and gave me the opportunity, energy, and strength to achieve this success. I will dedicate this achievement to my parents, who stood by me ever since I was born and ever since we found out about muscular dystrophy, especially my mum who has been there from the beginning. If not for her, I may not achieve this success. I draw from her strength because she carries me to the car, and wheels me around when we have exams. She will also sit for hours outside waiting for me to write my exams. The most surprising thing is that she does it effortlessly without complaints of being tired. I PRAY Almighty Allah blesses me with long-life and good health to repay everything she has done for me in life.
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