My Abled Differently Journey
When I sit down and reminisce over my disability or abled differently journey, my early childhood has been so far the most interesting but challenging stretch. I was born with a bone deformity on my right leg. My parents realized this problem when I started walking and they took me to doctors in different hospitals all over the country. Eventually I had five bone corrective operations done me. Then the fifth one was the one that gave my dad a reality check.
I remember my dad talking in low tone to my step mum that the doctor advised him they were worsening my condition with so many operations. The doctors‘ final words to him were “thank God she can walk and do everything on her own and she is always a happy girl, just support her”.
My dad was very strict with my education and he always told me that is the only precious gift that he can give me. Dad always checked my homework, my classwork, my school uniform, my lunch box, my water bottle, my books and stationeries. He was keen with each and every concern of my teachers. Though he had one rule, that they should not cane me but I did tend to be handful so the teachers would ensure they gave me taste of the cane once in a while.
Social Life
When I reached my teenage years, my dad never wanted to see boys near me or that I was dating. He used to tell me boys will give me a “gift” that would ruin my future. I later learnt the “gift “was babies. I laughed my heart out.
My dad encouraged me to go pay electricity and water bills. Those days, we would line up and wait for the long queues to be served. But I used to go at the counter and tell them I could not stand for long and I was served immediately. One day I asked him why did not send my brothers and he would say that I was the brave one. This made me very proud and was able to speak when I felt discomfort or when I needed assistance. I came to understand that, he was worried that the world would be very harsh on me due to my disability so I had to speak for myself.
Early Adult life
In college is whereas my age mates had started dating, I was reluctant because I had purposed I have to clear my studies first. As fate had it, the love bug bit me. I became the talk of the college that how did I manage to get a boyfriend. I was equally surprised but I never put much time to that relationship because I never liked to go to the club, parties or hangout till late night. The relationship died a natural death but I had my studies to clear so I whispered to myself “good riddance”.
My Career Path
I decided to come and find my birth mother in Mombasa. The first time she saw me she said “kweli nilizaa kiwete”. Weird enough those words did not even affect me. I just told myself know I understand why you separated with dad. As fate had it, she passed away three months later. I buried her and came back to Mombasa and stayed with relatives or friends wherever I could be comfortable. I did not want to go back home because my step mum was becoming so violent and argumentative that I have become a big girl and I should give the younger ones space.
I got my first job as a front office reliever in an insurance company. After three months, I had to leave because the receptionist was back from maternity leave. One morning, I woke up and took copies of my papers and as I was walking around the GPO now known as huduma center I saw a sign stuck on a door at a building known as Bima towers, that “receptionist wanted – 10th floor Door 4”. That particular day there was no power so I decided to take the stairs. People passed as they rushed to get to their destinations but I climbed the stairs at my own pace. Suddenly, a certain gentle man tapped me on my shoulder and gave me a wide smile that he is impressed with my determination and encouraged me not to give up. I smiled back and told him I am a tough one.
I got to the 10th floor exhausted from the Mombasa heat. So I sat down on the stairs for some minutes to catch my breath and compose myself. I said a short prayer and knocked the door and a heavy voice ushered me in. Surprisingly, it was the gentle man I met at the stairs, he smiled and told me to sit at the front desk and we will negotiate later. It was recruitment agency office.
In conclusion, I thank God for a supportive and present dad. I am never bothered with my disability. I have come to appreciate my disability and also the “perks” that come with it. I realized I can benefit from tax exemption, free parking space in the CBD, access to entry / exit ways where they are restricted for VIPs, less delays in clearance at the airport and well some people will carry my luggage thinking I cannot do it or I am straining.Being abled differently is not that bad. Little blessings that count.
by Victoria Bulimu
