MY STORY AND MY JOURNEY By Kabiru Sani Fandubu
My life has been a blend of challenges, lessons, and small but powerful victories. Spend a little time with me and you'll see that I’m full of energy, passionate about helping others, and always ready to lead when something needs to be done. Music is my escape, faith is my anchor, and hope is what I hold on to, no matter what.
But it hasn’t always been this way.
In April 2010, everything changed for me. A spinal cord injury turned my world upside down. One moment I was moving freely, the next I couldn’t walk, stand, or care for myself. Overnight, I went from independence to complete dependence, needing help just to get out of bed, eat, or sit up. It was a shock I never expected.
At first, I felt lost. The nights were the hardest. I lay awake staring at the ceiling, haunted by questions (fears about the future): Will I ever walk again? Will my life ever feel normal? While my friends went out living their lives, I was stuck in bed, feeling like mine had come to a halt.
But somewhere deep inside, I made a choice: I wouldn’t stop there. I had to fight.
The road to recovery was long, slow, and honestly, painful. First came the wheelchair. Then came the walking frame. Years of therapy followed, along with countless exercises and tears of frustration when my body refused to cooperate and do what i wanted it to do. There were days I felt strong, and days I nearly gave up, but I never did.
I'll never forget the day I took my first steps with a walking frame, unsupported might i add. My hands were shaking, my heart racing, but I moved forward, on my own. They weren't perfect steps, but to me, they were a victory over everything i'd been through. That moment gave me back a piece of my independence.
Today, I walk with forearm crutches. I'm not where I want to be yet, but I’m closer than I’ve ever been. Every step reminds me: slow progress is still progress.
Getting into university is one of my proudest achievements. It wasn't just about education, it was proof that I could still dream and achieve, despite my physical struggles. My parents have been my pillars, supporting me through the darkest hours. Everything I do now, I do with them in mind.
I’ve discovered a gift for uplifting others. I thrive on honest conversations that leave people feeling seen and encouraged. I'm also a natural problem-solver, I don’t just see challenges, I find paths forward to get around them. My dream isn’t just to walk unaided one day, but to use my journey to help others with disabilities believe in themselves and chase their goals.
I wish more people understood: having a disability doesn't mean your life is over. It means you live it differently. Mobility issues don't stop you from being happy or successful, far from it, and I'm living proof of that.
What makes me smile most are the little victories, taking a few more steps than i could last week, laughing with loved ones, or hearing a song that lifts my spirit. My personal mantra is simple: “Slow progress is still progress.” I whisper it to myself on the hard days when energy runs low.
I have learned that Life isn’t about avoiding struggles, it’s about overcoming them, pushing through them. My journey has taught me patience, strength, and compassion. And if just one person hears my story and finds the courage to keep going, then everything I’ve been through will have meant something.