Disability Fails To Deter Yogesh From Dream

Yogesh Mani has not let his disabil­ity deter him from his dream of be­coming a soldier.

However, for the time being he is the oldest trainee at the National Council for Per­sons with Disabili­ties in Labasa.

“I was born nor­mal, but acquired the disability after an accident when I was about four-years old,” Mr Mani said

“We were in Savusavu when I slipped from the steps of a two-storey building.”

The following year he joined a special school before carrying on his learning adventure at National Coun­cil for Persons with Disabilities.

“I love coming to school to learn different things such as massaging, sewing, screen printing, computer, lit­eracy and numeracy, carpentry and joinery.

“I love to play cards and soccer with my friends.”

Police officer Ajesh Mani said his eldest son did every­thing by himself and did not need any assistance.

“He helps his mother at times in sweeping and mop­ping the house, but he does not lift heavy objects,” Mr Mani said.

“Yogesh suffers from intellectual disability after the incident. He shares a bond with his grandmother and sometimes jokes to her about getting married after he starts working,” the father-of-three said

While he harbours his dream to join the military, Yogesh hopes to join a business where he will use the skills he has learned from the centre and gain more experience before opening a spa business in the North­ern Division.

Edited by Epineri Vula