Ketu Lawson has lived with a mobility challenge since childhood, a struggle he faced while watching his friends walk with ease. Yet he has embraced his situation and found ways to overcome it, working hard to provide for his family through his unique talents.
At 27 years old, Ketu Lawson has become a well-known dancer in Kumba and its surrounding areas. Whether it’s a wedding or any other celebration, Ketu is always there, moving to the rhythm. His passion for dancing knows no bounds, and his disability does not prevent him from showcasing his talent, whether in Kumba or beyond. Raised in Foe Bakundu in the Meme Division of the Southwest region, Ketu grew up with a mobility disability. However, this has never hindered him from expressing his deep-rooted love for dance. Every time he performs, he returns home with cash – earnings that go toward supporting his girlfriend and their son.
Music: His Lifelong Passion
As a child, Ketu often found himself alone due to his mobility challenges. While his family went to school or worked on the farm, he stayed home, unable to join them. This isolation was difficult, especially as he watched others move freely while he could not.
Without much to do, Ketu found solace in music.
“I grew up with music all my life. I would play songs and dance alone since there was nobody to stay home with me,” he shared with MMI from his home in Three Corners, Kumba.
His love for music became a form of self-expression and would eventually shape his future. The dancing skills he honed during those lonely moments are now his primary source of income.
Forced to Relocate by the Anglophone Crisis
Ketu never imagined living anywhere other than his native village, Foe Bakundu. Life there was peaceful until the Anglophone crisis erupted in 2016. As the violence escalated, with frequent attacks from armed groups, Ketu and his family’s safety was threatened.
“When shootings broke out, I was often left behind,” he explained, describing how his disability made it impossible for him to flee like others.
Eventually, the situation forced him to leave his village. Displaced by the conflict, Ketu found himself in Kumba, where a kind-hearted woman took him in. Though the crisis uprooted him, it also set him on a path to independence. Today, his story exemplifies the saying, “Disability is not inability.”
Learning to Accept His Condition
When Ketu first arrived in Kumba, he was hesitant to leave the house, ashamed of how others might perceive him.
“One day, I heard about a race for people with mobility challenges. I decided to participate, but when I got there, I realized that some people had even worse conditions than mine,” he recalled.
This experience shifted his mindset, encouraging him to step out of his comfort zone. Determined to share his dancing skills with the world, he began performing for crowds. His talents have since taken him beyond Kumba, to places like Buea and Konye.
“I can dance to any song, and I do it well,” he said confidently.
“Many people are surprised when they see me dance. They cheer, sometimes they make fun of me, but mostly they encourage me. Through that, I make a little money to support myself and my family.”
What Happens When There Are No Events?
Though dancing provides for his family, Ketu dreams of a more stable livelihood. Ideally, he would like to be a farmer, but living far from his home village makes it difficult. He lacks the funds to purchase land or start a farm.
“The cost of living has increased. Everything is so expensive now. If I could have a farm where I could grow food, it would help a lot,” he shared with MMI.
Ketu believes that having a farm would allow him to sustain his family when there are no events to dance at, as the money he earns from performing is often not enough to meet all their needs.
Through his story, Ketu Lawson demonstrates resilience and determination, finding ways to turn his challenges into opportunities while continuing to strive for a better future.
