Parents of children living with disabilities have been urged to stop hiding them from society and instead give them the same opportunities as any other child.
Speaking to the media on Thursday during the distribution of wheelchairs at the West Kenya Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church headquarters in Kanyakwar, Kisumu, Union President Dr. Samuel Misiani said keeping children with disabilities out of public view denies them access to opportunities, support and services they rightfully deserve.
Dr. Misiani challenged parents to rise above stigma and discrimination, insisting that having a child with a disability is neither a curse nor a punishment.
“There is stigma everywhere. Whether you are poor, wealthy, short, tall or smartly dressed, people will always have something to say. Parents should understand that they are not responsible for their children’s disabilities,” he said.
He noted that many families isolate children with disabilities out of fear of being judged by society, a move he said only worsens their situation.
“Some parents ask themselves, ‘What did I do to deserve this child?’ and end up hiding them because of fear. We want to tell Kenyans not to hide children living with disabilities. It is not your responsibility. There is help available, and Share the Love will always be here to share God’s love. It is not a sin,” said Dr. Misiani.
One of the beneficiaries, Mercy Joan, narrated the challenges she has faced raising her nine-year-old daughter, Precious Hawi, who developed cerebral palsy after suffering jaundice at birth.
Joan expressed gratitude after receiving a wheelchair for her daughter, saying mobility had been one of the biggest challenges she has faced.
She also condemned the practice of hiding children with disabilities, saying it further marginalizes them and prevents them from receiving assistance from well-wishers, organizations and government programs.
“It is one of the worst things parents can do. When you hide these children, you deny them opportunities to get help and support that could improve their lives,” she said.
Dr. Misiani said the church has been working closely with Baraton University to improve mobility among persons living with disabilities through the donation of assistive devices.
The beneficiaries of the latest wheelchair distribution came from Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Siaya, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu counties.
According to Dr. Misiani, the initiative, dubbed “Share the Love,” is funded by well-wishers from the United Kingdom and serves beneficiaries without discrimination based on religion, ethnicity or social status.
He revealed that a total of 76 children and adults living with disabilities benefited from the latest donation exercise, adding that the programme aims to reach persons with disabilities across the country.
