From Chuks Onuoha, Umuahia

The exploits of his organization in the area of taking care of disabled and handicapped persons across Europe and Germany made the Nigerian Ambassador to Austria to advise him to come home to do similar things to his people at home.

His organization, Hilary Okechukwu Disabled and Handicapped Foundation, had become popular in many cities in Austria, Germany and beyond that made the Nigerian Ambassador to invite him for a meeting.

It was the meeting that gave birth to Hilary Okechukwu Disabled and Handicapped Foundation, which is now located at Umuagu Ibeku in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State.

The President of the organization, Mr Hilary Okechukwu, whose name was used to form the name of his foundation, said that the ambassador reminded him that charity begins at home.

Hilary who hails from Ubaha, Ohuhu, Oriendu Autonomous Community in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State, had showed signs of caring for people when he joined   the Red Cross team that worked during the Ojorami Dam Disaster in Igara, Kogi State when he was only six years old.

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He provided assistance to adult members who were busy attending to the victims of the dam disaster in the state.

Speaking on his growing up, Hilary said that it was not rosy, but he was contented with the support of his parents who were neither poor nor enviously rich.

Ironically, Hilary whose job is to take care of the disabled has a disabled son who is also living with him.

“When I set up this organization my first presentation was at St Vincent De Paul in Umuafai, where I donated some wheel chairs to some of the disabled persons there, as well as other gifts and cash. I have offices in Europe, Germany and other places, and we go out looking for people with disability just to assist and give them hope. I want people to know that we are here now in Abia and that we are ready to give assistance to the disabled and handicapped.

“Our main gospel is to tell those who have disabled children that disability is not the end of life. I want to say here that disability is not inability. There is ability in every disability and once any disabled person is encouraged, the ability in them will shoot out.

“I’m encouraging parents, whose children are disabled not to keep them down. Our mission is to ensure that we bring out the best, which is the ability in their disability.  I thank God, who has called me into this job that I am doing. I am very grateful to him.  I want this foundation to grow to a point that it becomes a multi-national organization that can work with others all over the world. And I am encouraging all those who have disabled children to bring them to our centre at Umuaga Ibeku instead of keeping them in their backyards to be languishing. God has plans for such people and until such plans are unveiled through care, we may not know the plan of God for them”, he said.