Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, the founder of the Shades of Life Foundation (SOLF), is taking on an extraordinary challenge to raise awareness about autism. As a mother of an autistic child and a passionate advocate for autism intervention, Dr. Nwokolo is leading a team of 10 riders on a 5-day bicycle journey from Lagos to Accra and back. This daring ride aims to highlight the struggles faced by families of children with autism in Africa, where limited resources, social stigma, and a lack of awareness often leave parents feeling isolated and helpless.
The team of cyclists, which includes both women and men ranging in age from their 20s to their 50s, is united in their mission to promote inclusivity and ensure that no child with autism is left behind. Upon reaching Accra, the SOLF team will also participate in a golfing tournament called “Play with Stephen,” which is focused on furthering autism awareness.
Explaining her motivation for this courageous endeavor, Dr. Nwokolo said, “As a parent of an autistic child, I understand firsthand the challenges families face. As a professional in the field, I know that people fear what they don’t understand and often lack the information needed to provide support. I’ve seen many individuals who could have thrived with the right help fall by the wayside. These experiences drive me to keep going and to do more.”
Daily News Gh 