By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Shine Through Autism, Mrs Kate Ajayi-Onomeregwa, has called on parents and communities to embrace awareness, inclusion and love for children living with autism and other special needs.
Mrs Ajayi-Onomeregwa made the call during a visit to families of children with special needs, including 15-year-old Oghenemaro Atebo and 19-year-old Goodluck Aruno, at Eteriza, Aka-Ole Road, Olomoro in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Addressing parents before presenting gifts to the families, the CEO stressed that autism and related conditions should not be viewed as spiritual problems or acts of witchcraft.
“When people see situations like this, they start saying it is witchcraft, but it is not,” she said. “This is the ministry God has given to you. You are taking care of what God has given to you, and you are doing it better than many.”
Mrs Ajayi-Onomeregwa, a registered nurse with degrees in Business Management from Middlesex University and Adult Nursing from the University of Bolton, United Kingdom, noted that her work combines clinical knowledge and community advocacy to strengthen support systems for families.
She urged parents to stop moving from one church to another in search of miracles.
She said, “Stop attributing autism to ‘Ogbanje’ or spiritual causes. This is not spiritual. Awareness is key — what you don’t know, you cannot treat,” she said.
She also cautioned parents against neglecting their other children because of the attention given to a child with special needs.
“If you are among those who go to church every day seeking miracles because of this child, stop it. You still have other children. Focus on them too. Sit them down, talk to them and let them know you care,” she advised.
The Shine Through Autism boss further warned against physical abuse. “Do not beat or abuse this child. You get back what you give. You don’t expect to give hatred and receive love in return. Healing and plans start from home,” she said.
During the visit to the residence of Mr and Mrs Solomon Atebo on Shalom Church Road, the child’s mother recounted their 15-year ordeal.
“I registered for antenatal care, and after delivery, that same evening we discovered that his neck became stiff. After that, he started having convulsions regularly. For three straight years, every week we were in the hospital. Later, we discovered there were changes in his brain. It is a 15-year story we cannot tell in one day,” she said.
Speaking, the father, Mr Solomon Atebo, said the family had sought help from several churches but remained committed to caring for their son.
“We have been to many churches, including TB Joshua’s church and others. But I will not stop taking care of him because he is my blood,” he said.
He disclosed that he previously worked as a banker with Ecobank but stopped working four years ago following staff disengagement.
“Since then, I have been at home because of the child. He is not going to school; he stays at home all day. He used to go to school until he had an accident, and that was when he stopped,” he explained.
He described his son as calm and emotionally attached to familiar faces. “If he is angry, his face changes. He accepts any food you give him. If he knows you and is familiar with you, he feels sad when you are leaving,” he added.
Another caregiver, Mrs Aruno Elo-Opere, lamented the challenges faced by families of special needs children.
“People advised us that since we don’t have money and the child is like this, we should use him to make money. There was a time we took him to Warri for treatment, and before we came back, thieves broke into our house and stole everything. But God has been with us,” she said.
Also speaking, Mr Peter Emuh, father of seven-year-old Udumudeno Sunday, said he had been caring for his daughter for five years and appreciated the NGO’s support.
After praying for the families, Mrs Ajayi-Onomeregwa presented food items, cash and other gifts to the beneficiaries.
“We are a non-governmental organisation. We are doing this from our hearts. During school time, the children come here to school, and after school, they go back to their parents,” she said.
She added that the organisation would continue to expand its outreach, stressing that increased awareness remains critical to changing societal perceptions about autism and other special needs in Delta State.