adminHAVING a child means a lot to humans and even to animals.
Some kids are born able-bodied while others develop some complications during or after birth.
Most of these complications, which can lead to disability, are beyond our control.
Only God has the answers and He is the only one who can mend the bleeding hearts.
A sane parent should accept such conditions, which are beyond their control.
This is part of life where anything can happen without our plans.
It’s sad that we still have some parents who don’t embrace children born with disabilities.
Some marriages have collapsed as a result of children born with disabilities while other unions are shaking.
In shocking scenarios, some fathers have fled their homes to unknown destinations after their wives gave birth to children with disabilities.
In some primitive communities, children with impairments are considered a curse.
Most women are persecuted for giving birth to handicapped children, which is quite unfortunate.
This is quite shocking in this era where we expect people to be civilized.
There are some caregivers, individuals and organisations, who are looking after many disabled children.
On June 5, we carried a sad story involving a heartless Chivi woman who abandoned her eight-months-old daughter at her aunt’s place after the child developed a disability.
The woman is reported to have abandoned the child at her aunt’s place with the hope of salvaging her marriage.
The child has impairments, which affect her speech as well as her mobility.
For the past eight years, the aunt has been looking after the child while the mother has since moved on.
The mother is reported to have given birth to another child, with a disability.
This was revealed during a recent media tour organised by the Government in conjunction with UNICEF.
The case, which has become the subject of conversations at Chivi Growth Point, should not be taken lightly.
It is high time that people are educated to embrace people with disabilities, especially children.
Handicapped people have the right to life, education and other basic needs.
With true love, support and motivation, children with disabilities can also play a big role in nation building.
The major challenge we face is that some parents, or guardians of children with disabilities, don’t fend for them.
It’s really unfortunate when some parents of children with disabilities hide them from the public.
By discriminating against them, we are depriving them of their rights and access to help.
On a positive note, there are some people who have committed themselves to save children with disabilities.
There is also the refreshing news in Chivi where a home, which is looking after over 300 children with disabilities from different districts, has been established.
This is a step in the right direction since disability is not by choice.
Let’s take care of the disabled people because they are human beings too and deserve the same love we give to able bodied individuals.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter