‘Don’t use your disability as an excuse to not achieve your goals’
Hearing impaired author, Dr Lutendo Rhinah Singo recently published her debut book titled 'Disability doesn’t mean inability' to inspire and motivate those living with disabilities.
LIMPOPO -“I felt obliged to transform my life experiences into a book to inspire others and give hope as well as motivate others out there,” said Dr Lutendo Rhinah Singo who recently published her debut book titled Disability doesn’t mean inability.
The author from Mukumbani village outside Thohoyandou has been deaf since the age of seven. She explained life was not easy growing up with her disability. However, with the help of social workers, along with speech and hearing therapists, she managed to attend public schools under their supervision. “This is because my parents rejected any attempt for me to be sent to special schools for the deaf as I was a sickly child,” Singo explained.
Her book is aimed at inspiring those living with disabilities, those living and taking care of people with disabilities and those who are struggling to integrate or accepting people with disabilities.
She said she struggled a lot with various challenges associated with her disability. “Due to my parents’ vision and interest in mainstream education, as well as my reading interests, and my passion in breaking barriers, it enabled me to overcome these various challenges. This book however, was brought about by personal circumstances which I have encountered in my life as I grew up until now. The book encourages disabled people to love and accept themselves irrespective of their disabilities,” Singo elaborated.
She further indicated that her book encourages disabled people to live, think, act, and plan beyond their disabilities irrespective of every day challenges their disabilities may bring. She also seeks to teach people to embrace those living with disabilities and acknowledge that a disability is not a disease and cannot be used as an excuse which hinders anyone from achieving their goals.
Not only is she an author, but Singo boasts with a Bachelor of Earth Sciences, Master’s degree in Hydrology and Water Resources, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Sciences with specialisation in Hydrology and Water Resources with the University of Venda.
Those who are interested in purchasing her book, can contacted her via WhatsApp at 083 756 6529 and Facebook messenger Singo Rhinah Tshivhase.
capvoice@nmgroup.co.za
