Lord, who among them is to be blamed for his situation? Such are the kind of concerns, ridicule and judgements that many people have every time they see or give birth to a disabled child.
In the history especially in African setups, all disabled person would be killed or be neglected to death because it was a belief that the person must be an evil person from the gods whose purpose was to torment the community. In many communities, they would gather, slaughter animals to celebrate the killing of a disabled person. What an evil ideology!
In His answer to my introduction question, Jesus told them that “none of the parent or disabled was wrong,” only that God pleases Himself in all our situations.
It isn’t a crime or sin to be born a disabled. Whoever and whatever we are, we are human beings created in the perfect image of God. In fact we are all fearfully and wonderfully made; with a purpose to please and worship God both in the Spirit and truth.
Every disabled person has a unique talent or gift that is very unique and special that no normal person could be gifted of. They are great inventors and developers of different and powerful equipments and services that are very useful to the community and the church as well.
Great people like Sir Isaac Newton are forever to be remembered in the world of science and inventory. This man discovered the force of gravity which even today have appeared none to challenge his theory; and yet he was a disabled person.
Disability varies and are different although they are different. Some disabled mentally, emotionally and physically. Many look at a physical aspect to determine once’ disability. Again we have spiritual disability which many people are until when turns around and acknowledge Jesus as a personal savior and Lord. Otherwise, many are spiritually blind and we all need a savior and the forgiveness of sin to heal us from spiritual disability.
In Kenya God is raising great men and women living with disability to a level of national and international arena with the aim of wiping tears on the faces of the disabled; through His (God) grace and mercy they are proving to be an answered prayers through which we all can see the light over the darkness in the lives of our friends and relatives who are disabled.
In this life, one should learn to expect anything especially as far as disability is concerned. A friend of mine narrated to me how he woke up in the morning only to find that things were not okay with him. His leg couldn’t move at all and in great pain; something that made him be admitted to the hospital for a number of months and ended with his leg be imputed. Today he uses a wheelchair for the movement, something that is being highly appreciated by many in the society.
Among them are AIC Cure which is part of AIC Kijabe hospital. Part of what they are committed to do is to treat people with disability and to give them wheelchairs and crutches to help them afford movement for their own survival. Their services are affordable to all which is almost free from medication to walking equipments.
The other institution/organization which is very new in Kenya and Africa is HOPE Mobility; a ministry which work with people with disabilities in Kenya and the rest of Africa. Their mission is to focus on wheelchair distribution and educating families and communities to care for and to include people with disabilities as an important part of society. This Organization is dedicated to providing resources and training people with disabilities in Africa.
Statistically, 80 million people live with disabilities in Africa, 10% of the population but possibly as high as 20% in the poorer regions. People with disabilities are usually excluded from schools, opportunities to work in higher offices and even the community. This means that they live their lives as the poorest of the poor. They face social stigma, discrimination and even death because they are considered to be of no value or a curse to the community; which should be condemned in the strongest terms possible because no one choses where and how to be born.
Having said so, everyone is a candidate of disability in one way or the other. Accidents do happen, diseases attacks people and other natural disasters that can lead to permanent disability. Therefore, this is a call to everyone in the world to consider that even when they are building their offices, houses and even house of worship. We are called to embrace people with disability because they are human being too and have feelings and ability to do great and dynamic things as normal people are.
God loves us all; He created humanity in His very own image and He is pleased whenever He looks at us from His heavens.
Don’t hide or discriminate these people. Instead let us be their keeper, supporter and great friends and help them sustain their smiles on their faces without any condition.
“The measure of a man, or woman, is not so much what they have accomplished, though that has weight. It often is much more though what that man or woman has overcome to accomplish what they have.” Leif Gregersen
