By Obbo Yusuf
14 years old Spinal cord injured boy in Buwabe gets aid from CESIA (Centre for Spinal injury advocacy) as activists warn local governments over discriminating persons with disability in service delivery as stipulated in Article 21 of the Uganda’s 1995 constitution.
Muwabe Derrick who was born normal, at age of 14 got a damage which led to his disability since he can no longer support himself, he is now bedridden and uses a wheelchair for movement.
On 6th/Feb /2021 Nakadama Lydia Derrick’s mother says her son survived death after a tree that was cut fall on him leaving his spinal cord injured .so emotional she narrated to our reporter that while crying that “My child was normal,I never knew this could happen to him ,we have spent a lot of money on him despite being poor, we sold off our belongings to see that Derrick gets his life back fortunately he is a live but uses wheelchair. Derrick cannot do anything for himself, he has no breaks when it comes to excreting, urine and stool just flows out”
Nakadama adds that she is always challenged with support and knowledge on taking care of her son given that she is totally green about Spinal cord injuries and how to deal with victims.
It’s upon this background that Centre for Spinal cord Injuries Advocacy (CESIA) led by its founder Atim Joyce Marry visited Nakadama’s home in Buwabe village Ibulanku sub county Bugweri district to check on Derrick Muwabe who is facing same challenges that the organization handles.
The spinal cord injury left Derrick’s body without ability to feel hot, cold and touch loss on bowel or bladder control, this makes him stay indoors laying on his bed.
Atim’s visit to Derrick’s home put a big smile on him. He asked Atim a lot of questions while a smile wondering that her visitor is also battling Spinal cord injury. ” are you also a spinal cord injury victim or another kind of disability ,will I also move out like you one day” seeing a Atim and interacting with her gave a lot of hope to Derrick.
Just like any other young boy with a vision Derrick wants to become a lawyer to help others get justice. Despite his current status, he remains determined by spending most of his time revising his books while on bed. His last time to sit in class ended when the sub county renovated the road that leads him to school and left it in a state that can’t let him move from his home to school that is about 200 Meters away. Besides that his school also doesn’t have access ramps hence he can’t enter his classroom thus studying on the door way. In addition to other many challenges like stigmatization which made Derick feel isolated hence stopped attending school.
The situation that the young boy could go through forced the school management through teacher Gamisha Ellzabeth to assist him while at home.
“When this road was rehabilitated by the district, it became so difficult for Derrick to cross from home to join the road and reach the school though he was always assisted by fellow friends. The hips left at section joining their home to the road and also from the road to the school it’s totally inevitable for this young boy to get to school given his status. He develop serious wounds in the process of trying to move to the school. Besides that the school environment is not favorable at all to persons with disability ,this prompted the school to enable me render Derrick with all services he is meant to get at school from home ” said Derrick’s class Teacher Gamisha Elizabeth.
Gamisha Elizabeth is fighting hard to assist Derrick so that he performs well and sit for primary seven come 2023 and also give him more hope towards his dream of becoming a lawyer.
The situation that has hindered Derick to attend school remains a big concern for those advocating for human rights for persons with disability.
Atim has urged Government to walk the talk by ensuring that all people get equal access to services as per the Uganda’s 1995 constitution, article 21 which addresses discrimination against persons with disability.
“The country’s constitution stipulates that all people are equal which means we must get equal services with those without disabilities. It is so unfortunate that a government school can be constructed without access ramps to enable people with difficult to walk and latrines that favor those with disability. This is a clear indication that people with disabilities’ concern are never given priority.” Said Atim
Atim adds “the tendency of not taking into consideration the concerns of those with disability is much evident when it comes to services offered by local government on behalf of central government. Much of the funds meant to cater for those with disabilities is embezzled. The buildings and roads built are not accessible by persons with disabilities. They should have in mind that no one chooses to be disabled but it’s God who decides.” Said Atim.
Atim called upon the general public to focus more on the environment those with disabilities like Derrick shares saying that it’s the environment to make him gain hope adding that if it’s unfavorable it make him live in regret for the rest of his life.
Centre for spinal cord injury Advocacy has also appealed to the general public mostly road users to take charge of life first in whatever is they do. She spotted out negligence as the number one cause of accidents as well as the number one cause of spinal injuries which has left many in wheelchairs and others dead thus increasing the number of dependents and orphans in the country .
According to Dr wandera Ashraf, Spinal cord injuries can cause Loss of movement, Loss of or altered sensation, including the ability to feel heat, cold and touch, Loss of bowel or bladder control, Changes in sexual function, sexual sensitivity and infertility, Pain or an intense stinging sensation caused by damage to the nerve fibers in your spinal cord.
Ashraf has advised accident victims who register signs like extreme back pain or pressure in the neck, head or back ,Numbness, tingling or loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet or toes, difficulty with balance and walking, Loss of bladder or bowel control to seek Medical attention for quick approach.
According to the Uganda’ constitution of 1995, Article 21 prohibits discrimination against people with disability and the persons with disability Act 2006 calls for equal opportunities
