Blessing Chinenyenwa Onwueresi is an author, a pharmaceutical microbiologist, and a social inclusion advocate. Born with a speech impediment, she has transcended her limitations to become a writer, have a career, and lead social change. In this interview by Kingsley Alumona, she speaks about her life and work.
Are you the only child in your family born with a cleft defect?
Yes, I am the only child born with a cleft defect in my entire family. My parents, most especially my late father, loved me unconditionally. To him, every child is a gift from God. That was the reason he gave me the name, Chinenyenwa, which means “God is the giver of children.” My parent tried their best to ensure that my defect was corrected.
Between when you were born and in recent times, you have had eight surgeries on your speech organs. What did the doctors say was your diagnosis, what were the names of the surgeries, and how effective were the surgeries?
The surgeries were effective, as they succeeded in closing the huge gap between my left nostril and my soft palate. However, my speech was impaired as I could not follow up with the speech therapy routine while growing up.
A doctor diagnosed my condition to be ‘cleft lip and cleft palate,’ a congenital defect where the roof of the mouth refuses to join during the early stage of pregnancy. I have done eight repeated surgeries on my lips’ hard and soft palates.
Going through school with your condition must not been easy. How did you manage the stigmatisation and academic/communication rigour and still have a good education?
Going to school was a daunting challenge, I must confess, due to peer pressure and stigmatisation because of my visible scar, poor dental arrangement and mostly, my impaired speech. But I chose to face my fears head-on, fought the battle, and won. Each day while growing up, I motivated myself on a daily basis, and also reading motivational books helped me and still do.
When you were considering university education, and work and career afterwards, did you factor in your condition? What made university manageable and memorable for you?
My education and career success resulted from my strength of resilience, coupled with the fact that God helped me and still does. University memories were both sweet and sour. The sour moments were the financial burdens of paying school fees, acquiring textbooks, feeding and living in a decent hostel. The most challenging obstacle was overcoming peer pressure and the stern gazes and whispers that followed me due to a prominent scar on my face and a speech impediment. It restricted my social lifestyle and I was seen as a loner.
However, the sweet moment was gaining an unmerited scholarship from the Living Faith Church. The scholarship improved my living conditions and positively impacted various aspects of my life. This boosted my self-esteem and enhanced my social life.
As I continued my education, I was driven by a newfound determination to excel academically. This commitment to my studies paid off, and I graduated with a second-class upper division in Applied Microbiology and Brewing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in 2014. This achievement was a personal triumph and a testament to the transformative power of faith and opportunity.
As a pharmaceutical microbiologist, my vision was not merely a career choice but a genuine desire to contribute to humanity’s well-being in the field of medicine through my work. My employers looked beyond my appearance and speech impediment. Even when there were communication glitches at the interview, God’s grace elevated me beyond my limitations.
Tell us about your book ‘Beyond the Scar: Embracing Life Challenges and Celebrating Imperfections’, and the major lessons people and society should learn from it.
In summary, ‘Beyond the Scar’ chronicles my profound journey from the stigma of a cleft lip and cleft palate since birth. Through surgeries, societal challenges and stigmatisation, I reclaimed my identity. The narrative unfolds through school struggles, transformation in secondary school, and societal integration. The turning point comes with Smile Train, a cleft-based non-governmental organisation, symbolising the power of compassion.
University hardships lead to a transformative encounter with ‘Gifted Hands’ and eventual career success despite speech impairment. The story extends to a love that transcends physical imperfections, culminating in a partnership built on unconditional love. My journey evolves into advocacy for cleft lip and palate awareness, illuminating a path of resilience and triumph over societal judgement.
‘Beyond the Scar’ is not just a memoir but a guiding torch, showcasing extraordinary possibilities when one refuses to be defined by their scars.
In ‘Beyond the Scar’, you said that books and friendship helped you discover who you really are. Could you tell us about this?
Books were my sure companion. As I stumbled upon a sanctuary within the pages of literature, I immersed myself in the worlds of others, which allowed me to escape from the suffocating reality of my own life. I discovered a wellspring of resilience and hope in the writings of authors who had faced their demons and emerged stronger. Their stories of overcoming adversity and finding purpose resonated with me profoundly.
My favourite books remain ‘Gifted Hands’ and ‘Big Picture’ by Ben Carson. What truly resonated with me is the author’s transformation from being called a ‘dummy’ by his classmates to becoming a superstar brain surgeon. Through his story, he outshines poverty and illuminates the limitless potential within. His ascent from the depths of hardship to the pinnacle of success served as a beacon of hope and inspiration for anyone facing obstacles to achieve their dreams. Through the eyes of characters from diverse backgrounds, I learn to see the world from perspectives other than my own.
Also, the power of friendship helped me. Faith Okitikpi was my secondary school classmate who was not just a true friend but a soul sister from another mother. She was not just a friend but a beacon of acceptance and understanding. When I saw the weight of being different from my classmates, her unwavering acceptance was a gift beyond measure. Her influence extended beyond academics, a confidante to whom I could pour my heart. Her unwavering support bolstered my self-esteem and instilled in me the belief that I could achieve greatness. One of the most significant gifts she bestowed upon me was a nickname that would become a source of pride and identity: ‘Bookworm.’ This simple moniker encapsulated my unwavering love for books and the profound impact they would have on my journey.
Tell us about your organisation, the Perfect Image Children Impact Foundation. How is it impacting lives and society?
Perfect Image Children Impact Foundation (PICIF), established in September 2023, is an umbrella that identifies, nurtures and establishes the confidence and lost hope of vulnerable and disabled children within society and spreads their tentacles to the world’s farthest reaches through sustainable developments.
Among the countless trials faced by society’s most vulnerable, children with disabilities stand at the forefront, bearing the brunt of violence, abuse and neglect. Yet, PICIF has emerged as a shining beacon of hope, an organisation dedicated to cushioning the impact of these harsh realities.
Through its tireless efforts, support and unwavering commitment, it extends a hand of fellowship to these children, offering them a lifeline to a brighter future.
What is the current work your foundation is doing and its intended impacts? And how did you get support and funding?
PICIF recently launched the book ‘Beyond the Scar’ in April, 2024. Currently, we are planning to translate the book into a movie series which would require lots of funding. I am positive about that. The aim of this movie is not just for entertainment purposes but to educate the public about cleft defects, thereby shifting the ugly perception and societal discrimination every child faces in society.
It will also encourage social inclusion and reduce inequality for all people with disability (PWD) — hence, fulfilling SDG goal 10: Reduce Inequality. Meanwhile, we are constantly creating awareness on social media and offline about cleft defects. Society needs to unlearn and relearn about us.
Despite your speech disability and the challenges associated with it, you still found love, got married and had children. Tell us about your family and how they are inspiring and challenging you to be a better version of yourself.
In a nutshell, I have a beautiful family bonded by true love.
You were at the Evolve Conference in Lagos a few weeks ago, where you pitched your business. What can you say about the conference and the impact it had on you and your business?
Evolve Conference is a community that empowers African visionaries and accelerates innovations. They are a group of evolved minds who join efforts to nurture and make valid dreams and ideas a reality. It is a place where there is zero discrimination on race, tribe, religion or ethnicity and where humanity is at its peak.
Currently, they have given me the platform where my dreams could fly without borders.
Aside from your foundation work, what else do you do for a living? What do you do for leisure, and what are your best food and your favourite musician or actor?
I am a pharmaceutical microbiologist. I love jollof rice and enjoy Cece Winans — ‘Goodness of God’ and Mercy Chinwo for my soul lifting.
What is your advice for parents and families of children with oral or speech disabilities?
I encourage every family to accept and love their child unconditionally because they are a special breed with potential. I also encourage them not to give up on seeking medical solutions because God, through science, has made solutions possible for a better living.
READ ALSO: Police confirm Oloba Salo hospitalised after gun attack in Lagos
