Imuetinyan’s mother recalls that she was the plumpest baby among her five siblings, and her delivery was the smoothest. Yet, her upbringing was far from simple. Living with visual impairment in a society that stigmatizes disability as a family burden posed countless hurdles during Imuetinyan’s childhood in Lagos, Nigeria. While certain activities were challenging due to her limited sight, storytelling was not one of them. Whenever Imuetinyan had the opportunity, she shared stories passionately.

Even after undergoing two cataract removal surgeries, Imuetinyan continued to grapple with navigating the world. At 14, she relocated to the United States with her mother and siblings to reunite with her father, who had emigrated six years earlier. It seemed like a second chance at life.

With the assistance of low-vision technologies and committed educators, Imuetinyan successfully completed high school and college. The quest for a profession that truly ignites her passion continues.

Despite the daily, unseen hurdles of navigating a sighted world, storytelling remains a steadfast presence in Imuetinyan’s life. At 21, she unearthed a passion for narrative, and by 27, resolved to wield it not just to empower, but to mend her corner of the universe. This passion led to the founding of IU.Media, a media news agency dedicated to telling African stories with authenticity and depth.