Despite having cerebral palsy, this did not stopped Joshua Dakai from taking part in the Mom & Pop League program which entered in sixth week last Saturday at Fiji FA Academy Ground in Vatuwaqa.
Dakai has been attending the program every week and shows his passion for football despite his disability.
His mum Lice Waqaliti said he son was born prematurely as a twin.
“He was a very healthy baby growing up with his twin sister and we only noticed that he had some problems when he was one year old and could not stand to start walking,” said Waqaliti
Waqaliti said his faced a lot of challenges in his life but she was happy now that he was able to play football.
“He only started walking at 4 years old after getting a herbal massage. Joshua although started walking, he was always unstable walking and needed support walking far.
“When he went into Year One, he was put out of school because he fell from the school steps and the Head Teacher told us to keep him home because of his disability,”said an emotional Waqaliti.
“Poor Joshua stayed home for a term while his twin sister continued in school. During this time he would be mischievous at home which was a sign of frustration and boredness because he was denied being part of education with his sister. Waqaliti said with the assistance of the Ministry of Health they were informed that Joshua was suffering from a Cerebral Palsy, which was the stiffnes of muscles.
“He needed support to walk,run and move around. He was then enrolled into Ayra Samaj Inclusive Primary School.
“Ever since joining the school, Joshua has developed well academically and is now able to play like other children of his age. He is able to walk on his own, run, play and kick ball like any normal child. With the help of Hilton School, they financed a walkway for Joshua at home to assist him walk up and down. The assistance too of the Special Teachers at ASPS, Joshua is able to do things independently including eating, dressing up, walking and playing.
“He is now playing football with other children and doesn’t regard himself as being disable to limit his desire to be part of the normal children. Therefore Joshua definitely shows that disability is not inability.
He has proved that if you have courage and aim in life fight for it and for sure you will achieve,” said Waqaliti.
