I get it.... I get it. So it's that obvious? Today was
the nth time I have been stopped by someone to tell me of registration of
persons with disability.
First, my dad called me to talk to his visually impaired
friend some two years ago. He advised me to go register as one of 'them', there
were some supposed benefits. I don't remember detail of what he said. As far as
I was concerned, I was normal and did not want anything to do with handouts. I
was trying so hard to prove a point- CAPABLE not a BURDEN! I listened politely
and agreed to everything they told me.
Later when my dad asked me when I would go to register
myself, I told him bluntly that I was not DISABLED. He just put the issue to
rest, never to remind me of it again.
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| Concealing my hand |
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| Slanted shoulder |
Ever since, I have been stopped by people on the
streets..... One time a lady named Grace stopped me and asked me about my
disability. She told me that registration would open doors for scholarships and
even business. Now that reminded me of an old woman who came to my mother
immediately after I got the stroke. She told my mother that I should register
with disabled persons so that I get a wheelchair. With this wheelchair, I would
then get access to a hawking space in town. Not that I have anything against
hawkers. Just that there were so many changes that I was trying to get to terms
with.
Then there's this time that I went to be baptized. Some
people came to me at Nyayo Stadium pool entrance. They were part of the paraplegic
swimming team. They told me to join them and even offered to train me for free.
Oh! And I would access the pool free of charge every Saturday morning.
I took out my swimming costume, the one that I bought and
never used......That's as far as it went. I never pursued it. Of course my
Saturday mornings have been busy with classes.
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| Using my right hand |
Today we were walking along Ngong Road with my friend Maryanne. Suddenly two men inside two posh vehicles called us. We looked at each other puzzled, and then looked at the direction of the parked vehicles. The men urged us to go to them. "Don't be afraid, we just want to talk to you". One of them was a Caucasian man and the other was a Kenyan. We cautiously approached the vehicles.
The Caucasian man asked me if I had prosthetics. He
explained that they were both persons with disabilities and were confined to
wheelchairs. The Kenyan man showed me a handicap sticker on his windscreen. I
became more relaxed. I told them that although I was disabled, I did not have
prosthetics.
The Kenyan man then asked me if I have registered with
the National Council for Persons with Disability. I said I tried but didn't
follow the process through. They told me to complete the process immediately so
that I can apply for government contracts. The government is giving priority to
women, young people and most importantly, persons with disability. I ended up
thanking them, getting a contact card and promising to follow the process
through.
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| Good at concealing |
I am reminded of my friend and former high school
teacher- Mwendwa Marete- Mrs. Obutu. "Use what God allows you to go
through for your advantage". She is just part of the numerous voices that
have been trying to convince me to register and get benefits enjoyed by persons
with disability.
I now accept I have been locking myself out of
opportunities while complaining of not having a job. I would be an employer by
now.
