Crystal Chigbu is the founder of The Irede Foundation, an organization she established in 2012 to support children with limb disabilities in Nigeria. Through the foundation, over 600 prosthetic limbs have been provided to more than 350 children, giving them the ability to walk again and improving their quality of life.
Inspiration Behind The Irede Foundation
In an exclusive interview with Just4WomenAfrica, Crystal shared that her inspiration to start The Irede Foundation came from her personal experience. After giving birth to her first child, she discovered that her daughter had a congenital limb deformity known as Tibial Hemimelia. This rare condition, occurring in approximately 1 in every 1 million births, is characterized by the partial or complete absence of the tibia (shinbone), leading to leg length discrepancies and deformities in the knee, foot, and ankle. After exhausting all medical options, Crystal and her family made the difficult decision to proceed with an amputation.
During her research, she found very few documented cases in Nigeria of children undergoing limb amputations. Many parents, fearing stigma, kept their children hidden from society. Determined to change this narrative, she founded The Irede Foundation, which not only provides prosthetic limbs to children but also replaces them as they grow, up until the age of 18, when physical growth generally stabilizes.
Challenges in Starting the Foundation
One of the initial hurdles Crystal faced was encouraging parents to share their stories. While she was open about her daughter’s experience, many parents hesitated due to fear of stigma and discrimination. She also recalled being told that her story was “not newsworthy”, which only strengthened her resolve to raise awareness about limb loss and mobility challenges.
Impact of The Irede Foundation
Over the past 12 years, The Irede Foundation has provided over 600 prosthetic limbs to more than 350 children. The reason for the higher number of limbs compared to children is that some beneficiaries require prosthetics for both legs.
The foundation’s work extends beyond providing limbs; it significantly improves the economic and social well-being of families. When children receive prosthetics, they can return to school, and their parents—many of whom had to stop working to care for them—can resume employment and provide for their families.
Challenges Faced by Children with Limb Disabilities
Children with limb disabilities in Nigeria face severe discrimination, even from their peers. Some schools refuse to admit children in wheelchairs, while others dismiss students due to infrastructural barriers, such as classrooms located upstairs with no accommodations.
How Communities and Government Can Help
Crystal emphasized the need for greater awareness and education about mobility challenges. She pointed out that government intervention is crucial in breaking barriers for persons with disabilities. Key measures include:
- Ensuring buildings have ramps and wheelchair-accessible facilities
- Reducing the number of staircases in public spaces
- Implementing strict monitoring of disability-friendly infrastructure
The Disability Act and Its Enforcement
The Disability Act, passed in Nigeria in 2018, mandates that employers hire a specified percentage of persons with disabilities. However, Crystal stressed that enforcement remains weak. She urged the government to:
- Ensure punitive measures are applied to those who fail to comply
- Establish a monitoring and evaluation team to track implementation and compliance
Expanding Beyond Nigeria
The Irede Foundation currently operates across Nigeria, but in the next 3 to 5 years, they plan to expand to other African countries due to increasing inquiries from outside Nigeria.
Major Causes of Limb Disabilities in Nigeria
Crystal highlighted the key causes of limb loss in Nigeria, supported by statistics:
- Mismanaged fractures – 47% of cases
- Automobile accidents – A major cause, accounting for a significant percentage
- Congenital conditions (like Tibial Hemimelia) – Less than 4% of cases
A Message to Children and Parents
To children with amputations, Crystal offers an empowering message: “You can be anything you want to be in life despite your amputation. It is all in the mind.”
To parents, she encourages unwavering support, reminding them that their children will thrive and succeed with the right help.
Through her work at The Irede Foundation, Crystal Chigbu continues to change lives, challenge societal perceptions, and advocate for an inclusive society where every child, regardless of physical ability, has a chance to reach their full potential.
