Desmond Yorm Emilson is a 22-year-old app developer from the Oti Region of Ghana who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 5. Despite the physical limitations caused by his condition, Desmond has always been a determined and ambitious young man.
The story of Desmond’s journey with cerebral palsy began when he was just 5 years old. One morning, while preparing for school, he fell to the ground and suffered a convulsion. His parents rushed him to the hospital, but this was only the beginning of their struggles. They traveled all over the country seeking treatment and solutions, from hospitals to prayer camps, but it wasn’t until a diagnosis that they were able to understand what was happening to their son.
Desmond had developed cerebral palsy, a group of disorders that affects a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. It weakens the muscles and makes it difficult to move. For Desmond, this meant that he had to learn to use his feet for everything – eating, drinking, writing, and more.
Despite the challenges he faced, Desmond remained determined and ambitious. He began requesting books and pens to scribble ideas for app development, with the help of his father, Bright Oyetey. He even eventually asked for a phone and began exploring the world of software development on his own.
Eventually, Desmond was ready to launch his own app, but he needed assistance and exposure to make it a reality. His mother, Vivian Abena Dansoaa, shared his story with Kofi TV, explaining that Desmond had always been a determined and hardworking young man, even using his feet to do tasks that most people take for granted.
Desmond’s determination and hard work paid off, as he was eventually able to develop his own app. He even had the ambitious goal of expanding his company and setting up an office, but he needed financial assistance to make it happen.
Despite the challenges he has faced, Desmond remains motivated and driven by his dream of one day working with Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook. He even had the opportunity to chat with Zuckerberg in 2019, who promised to help him, but Desmond has yet to hear back. Nevertheless, Desmond remains hopeful that his dream will one day become a reality.
The story of Desmond Yorm Emilson is truly inspiring, showing that with determination and hard work, anyone can overcome the challenges they face and achieve their goals. His journey with cerebral palsy has not been easy, but he has persevered and found success as an app developer. It is a reminder that with the right mindset and support, anything is possible.
Watch Desmond tell his story in the video below:
