MICHAEL N
Parents whose children are born with disabilities like lame, deaf, crippled, dumb, blind among other body challenges have been urged to embrace education of their children so as to curb the gap of illiteracy among such people. These were revealed by Gorreti Tudyahirwa who works with the National Union of Disabled Persons in Uganda as a Human Rights Advocate for Persons with Disabilities in Ntungamo.
Speaking to our reporter, Gorreti clarified that there is a need by the government to extend education among children with disabilities, citing that most of such people are uneducated. Gorreti emphasised that the best tool for parents and guardians to leave with their children is education, revealing that disability is not inability.
Gorreti thanked the government for its continued support of persons with disabilities, citing that unlike in the past when such people were segregated and disrespected, now the government has played a vital role in education and political positions where PWDs have representatives from local government positions to parliamentary level where their ideas are raised.
However, though the government has played its part in raising voices of PWDs, Gorreti reveals that there are more challenges encountered by PWDs such as difficulty in accessing some offices and buildings due to the mode of building infrastructure, community mistreatment calling PWDs names that are prohibited. Some parents still segregate their children based on body conditions, others are denied chances of education, some are even locked and left at home as security for families, which Gorreti says the government needs to address.
Danella Princess Komujera, a PWD born in Kizinga Goma, Rushenyi County Ntungamo, narrated to our reporter how her dream of becoming a soldier was distangled after getting a spinal cord accident in 2012 while in her Senior One level which tarnished her dreams.
After spending over six months in the hospital, Princess didn’t have another opportunity to go back to school, citing that the community never became friendly and also her family background was humble.
She then began making baskets, started a piggery project and later began a sewing machine business where she makes sweaters. Princess appeals to the government and other well wishers to help her financially so that she can begin a liquid soap industry and also educate other PWDs how to make sweaters and other skills.
Princess Komujera further encourages PWDs to be focused as they chase their dreams and always seek advice from other people but more so urges the public and communities to avoid mistreating PWDs.
