Commercial cycling: Amputated at 8, Imanirakiza rode his life out of despair

The earth seemed to crush under Jean Pierre Imanirakiza when doctors informed him that his arm was a danger to his life and would be better off amputated. That was in 2001; Imanirakiza was only eight. Doctors had diagnosed him with osteomyelitis and nothing else could be done other than amputating the affected arm. Osteomyelitis is an infection in a bone. Infections can reach a bone by traveling through the bloodstream or spreading from a nearby tissue. Imanirakiza says he became hopeless and thought his life was down to begging. But the resident of Mukamira Sector in Nyabihu District always felt uncomfortable with the idea of begging for a living and would often spend a lot of time thinking of how to escape such a fate. Coming from a poor family background means Imanirakiza would rely on physical energy to lead a self-reliant life as the dream of attaining ‘meaningful’ education seemed too far out of reach. “After my arm was amputated, life became hard, I became hopeless and wondered how I could get basic needs such as clothes as my family was too poor,” he says. His village age mates were commercial peddle-cyclists ferrying passengers and luggage in the area. Others used to earn from casual labour. He grew up watching in envy and agony. “I pondered and took the decision to see if I could ride a bike for survival because I liked riding, I learnt how to ride a bicycle on a small sport bike with a target to become a rider,” he adds. With one arm, Imanirakiza says it was difficult for him to get the perfect balance and thought it could complicate his dream. “I used to see other people with disabilities begging and realised it [begging] was despised. I decided I would make my remaining arm productive and started ridding,” he says as he manoeuvres his bike. Into commercial cycling Getting passengers was not an easy thing to begin with. Given how bycles are delicate machines that require nimble balancing, few people wanted to trust their life with Imanirakiza. Ferrying luggages was the initial source of stipend, but with time, people started believing in the now 23-year-old who was eager to charm them with his abilities. For Imanirakiza, it was all about making people confident and ensuring that he makes a difference in whatever he did for clients. Most bicycles use the brake on the left handle and, unfortunately, this is the arm Imanirakiza does not have. Many people wondered how he managed to ride without the main arm for riders. However, this has never been an obstacle to him. Most people wonder how I brake and they do not understand it, but this is the problem I have since solved. My mechanic switched the brake to the right hand,” he says. And the single arm has become as magical as Imanirakiza knows how to ride and is able to push the bike even when he is going uphill. He says his one arm is as effective as two arms. “I don’t involve in many accidents as a result of having one arm. I have no bruises on my body, the single arm I have works as if I have both arms,” he says. Imanirakiza’s message is that losing one part of one’s body is not a ticket for them to beg. He also advises local leaders to work with parents with disabled children and see how they can help them to create own jobs which can fit with their disabilities. “Disabled people should seek support from local leaders and do small businesses like selling nuts, eggs, small fish, among other products, other than begging,” he advises the disabled people. ****************************** What others say about him Commercial cyclists working with Imanirakiza and area residents say he is a brave person who never get discouraged and serves with integrity. “At first, we thought he was unable to do the job being done by people with both arms but later realised he was skilled and strong and does better and faster than his colleagues. Passengers are confident in him and never fear to offer him a job,” says Jean Baptiste Twizerimana, the head of cyclists’ cooperative in Mukamira trading centre. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Commercial cycling: Amputated at 8, Imanirakiza rode his life out of despair