A person with a disability’s desire and ability to be independent depends on various factors most of which can be overcome.
Some of these factors include parental influence, age at onset of disability, type of disability, educational status of the individual and environmental barriers.
Environmental factors particularly plays a key role when it comes to thriving for a person with a disability because it is more of being brainy than brawny.
For instance, in town, there are many ways to raise money without much physical effort hence ideal for persons with physical disabilities.
The lifestyle in the rural areas on the other hand requires physical strength to grow enough food and to support a family. Thus, the deaf and persons with mental disabilities can lead a better life compared to those with physical disabilities.
However, Daniel Kipkoech, a 29-year-old man with a physical disability, beat all aforementioned barriers to finding his independence.
Hailing from ongisa area, Bomet County, Kipkoech is rising from rags to riches in Narok county where he moved in search of greener pastures.
After completing his fashion and design course at the Kisii polytechnic, Kipkoech was unable to raise money for a sewing machine hence opted to venture into business starting with fruit hawking on the streets.
“I was so determined to start my own business and after shifting to Narok town, I started hawking fruits while on the wheel chair. I used to purchase the fruits like bananas, oranges, avocado and mangoes in wholesale and I would go round the town on my wheelchair looking for customers,” he recalls.
However, business being an activity which comes with so many challenges, Kipkoech’s fruit business did not pick up to his expectations.
Kipkoech told KNA news that he was forced to engage in what he terms as “Mali Mali” business which attracted many customers who came to buy utensils, sanitary equipment among other items.
On a good day, he says he got a profit of up to Sh. 2, 000 and on a bad day, he would get only Sh. 200.
Eventually, the money he saved was enough to purchase a Tuk Tuk, that he currently uses as a taxi.
“On many occasions, I am hired by business people who move from one market to another to sell goods. I am happy because the business is giving me more returns than my previous ventures,” he said.
He adds, “when I bought the tuktuk, my friends were happy and they brought me gifts without even asking for their help because they saw I did not beg for help from anyone.”
When asked about his marital status, Kipkoech was quick to say that he has to accumulate more money, establish a home before getting a wife because he wished his children to live a decent life.
He is calling upon persons with disabilities to use what God has given them to earn an income instead of spending time on the roadside begging.
Kipkoech’s fellow businessmen while speaking to KNA, described him as a self-motivated person who is faithful in his job as on many occasions, he gives him luggage to deliver in a certain market which he does on time.