Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah

Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah

Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah was born in 1977 in Ghana, Africa with a missing tibia, or shinbone, in his right leg. As a result, his foot hung uselessly from his curled-up lower leg, making him unable to walk with two feet. In Africa, people believed that when one is a deformed child, his or her mother has sinned. Also, in Africa, the disabled were expected to live the life of a street beggar. As a result, Emmanuel’s father deserted him and his family. Most people expected Emmanuel to live the life of a beggar, but he had other plans and insisted that he receive an education. At school, because of his disability, Emmanuel was belittled and excluded by his fellow classmates. They refused to let him join in on their games of soccer.

Emmanuel dropped out of school at the age of 13 when he had to work and make money to provide for his mother, who was severely ill. Though the streets of Ghana were full of beggars, he insisted on repairing shoes instead, earning an average of $1 per day. Later on, he set out on his goal: to ride a bicycle around Ghana with only his one leg to raise the awareness of disabled people in Ghana. A non-profit organization called the Challenged Athletes Foundation sponsored him with a bike and he set off on his goal. When he heard that his mother had died, he moved to Kenya where he earned $2 a day to send to his family. Afterwards, he continued to work towards his goal, and the CAF asked him to come to San Diego for its annual 56-mile bike ride. While he was there, he was fitted with a prosthetic leg.

When Emmanuel returned to Africa, he was a national hero. He always said, "In this world, we are not perfect. We can only do our best. I just want to make life better, and help people benefit from my experience." Inspired by these words, Emmanuel made over 100 wheelchairs for the disabled in Ghana and presented them in a huge celebration. A few years later, he was rewarded with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the annaual ESPY Awards. In 2003, he was named the Most Inspirational Athlete by the CAF presented by Robin Williams. Also during that year, he married a woman named Elizabeth, and the couple had a daughter named Linda.

Truly, Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah is a hardworking and inspirational man whose example should be followed by everyone. He went out and beyond to try to make his country a better place for the disabled. He stood up for what he believed in and didn't let obstacles get in the way of his goals. This is why he is my hero and role model.