- Things got tougher when her husband passed on as a result of depression.
- World Cerebral Palsy Day is marked on October 6. It is estimated that over 7 million people globally are affected by this condition.
Bahati, 10, has a severe case of cerebral palsy, meaning he is fully dependant. He cannot do anything by himself. He can’t feed himself; he can’t walk; he can’t sit down.
This is the narration of Carol Josephs Emoyo, 38, a mother of three who is struggling to raise the son.
"Being a special mum entails a lot. Self-sacrifice, being there always, a person with a big heart or else you won’t survive because it is demanding," Emoyo tells the Star.
"I gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. Bahati was 4kg when I gave birth to him. He cried as usual. He was very healthy until he was six months when he suffered meningitis. This was the cause of his CP disorder," Emoyo recalls.
Things got tougher when her husband passed on as a result of depression. After he lost his job at the airport, he could not stand seeing his son’s condition especially after costly attempts to treat him.
"Baba Bahati was really drained after spending more than Sh1 million only to return home with a sick kid. He lived in denial until he met his death,’’ Emoyo said.
She explains that they saw her husband’s death coming as he turned into a heavy drinker.
Her painful experience inspired her to start Smile for Neurodiversity, an NGO for persons with disability.
She has learnt to live with the truth of acting as the father and mother of her children.
"My life is complicated. The more Bahati grows the more things get tough. It’s difficult to explain the struggle," Emoyo states.
Many parents with such children go through the same struggles.
World Cerebral Palsy Day is marked on October 6. It is estimated that over 7 million people globally are affected by this condition.
The day aims to campaign for children and adults with cerebral palsy to have the same rights, access and opportunities as rest.
Cerebral palsy is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain that affects a person’s ability to control his or her muscles.
In this disorder, the person cannot walk or talk properly and has difficulty with normal daily tasks. Sometimes one has epilepsy and intellectual disability.
According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, the symptoms of CP vary from person to person.
A person with severe CP might need to use special equipment to be able to walk, or might not be able to walk at all and might need lifelong care.
A person with mild CP, on the other hand, might walk a little awkwardly, but might not need any special help.
CP does not get worse over time, though the exact symptoms can change over a person’s lifetime.
Children and adults affected by cerebral palsy often face challenges that hinder their full participation in society.
The roots of World Cerebral Palsy Day trace back to 1810 when Dr William John Little, the first researcher of cerebral palsy, was born.
The day sheds light on the need for increased awareness, understanding and support for those with cerebral palsy.
Doctors classify CP according to the main type of movement disorder involved. Depending on which areas of the brain are affected, one or more of the following movement disorders can occur: Stiff muscles (spasticity), uncontrollable movements (dyskinesia), or poor balance and coordination (ataxia).
The most common type of CP is spastic CP that affects about 80 per cent of sufferers.
People with spastic CP have increased muscle tone. This means their muscles are stiff and, as a result, their movements can be awkward.
People with dyskinetic CP have problems controlling the movement of their hands, arms, feet, and legs, making it difficult to sit and walk.
People with ataxic CP have problems with balance and coordination. They might be unsteady when they walk.
Diagnosing CP at an early age is important to the well-being of children and their families.
There is no cure for CP, but treatment can improve the lives of those who have the condition.
After a CP diagnosis is made, a team of health professionals works with the child and family to develop a plan to help the child reach his or her full potential.
Common treatments include medicines; surgery; braces; and physical, occupational, and speech therapy.