Child with cerebral palsy left in forest - survives beyond all odds

cbm reporter Greg Low travelled with Valerie Sherrer, cbm Emergency Coordinator in drought stricken areas to find those left behind. He reports:

Valerie and I visited the Meru region 23 July, 2011 to assess the situation. While the main media focus is on the situation in eastern Kenya and Somalia, the effects of the drought can be seen in Meru with increased food prices and many families only eating once a day. Prices have increased due to the scarcity of food and high cost of fuel for transport. Travelling northeast from Meru the results of the drought are obvious with few animals and fields barren. It has not rained in some parts for two years.

What is noticiable as you drive around there are few older people, many not surviving the drought.

On the outskirts of Meru, we met with one family who has been affected by the drought. The story typifies what many families with disabled members face. Lucy, with Daniel and Caroline

Lucy is 35 years old and lives in a tiny timber hut, which she rents for 300 Kenyan shillings per month (approximately $4). As we arrived Lucy was returning from collecting firewood, which she gathers from the forest to sell. Lucy's husband left when Daniel, now seven, was born. In this culture a woman can be seen as cursed if she has a child with a disability.

The drought has made it very difficult for Lucy to feed her family, especially with a child with cerebral palsy. They eat porridge once a day and twice if they can. The drought has meant they no longer have meat or vegetables.

Some villagers found a child abandoned in the forest that had cerebral palsy. It seems likely that the child was abandoned because the family did not have enough food to go around. The villagers then accused Lucy of abandoning her child, but she protested and showed them her son was at home. The local officials said Lucy should look after the child, as she knows about the condition. Lucy accepted, but under pressure to bring the child into her already stretched home.

Sitting in her tiny hut in almost complete darkness, it was obvious she cared for the new child who she has named Caroline. Cradling her in her arms, she broke down in tears as she described her situation. Nursing Caroline in her arms and with Daniel lying beside her she gathered her composure and continued.

She said, "The biggest problem for us is food." Image copyright Greg Low / cbm 2011

Caring for her family which now consists of two children with cerebral palsy is very difficult for Lucy. She talked about how she had thought of abandoning the children. It was at this point she began to weep. However, the fact that she has stayed and looks after them shows her strength, love and sheer determination to survive. Despite Lucy's situation it has meant some positive changes within the community.

Previously children with disability were hidden away due to the stigmatizingform others in the community. Now many families have brought their children out because Lucy has made the community aware.

Even with the difficulties Lucy is facing, her hospitalith is warm and complete as she thanks us for our visit.

Lucy's situation highlights the difficulties families with a member who has a disability face.

Pictured right: Valerie Sherrer, cbm Emergency Relief, Horn of Africa

to support cbm's relief work for the famine in the Horn of Africa


Blindness	Orthopaedics	Deafness	Community	Emergencies	Rehabilitation

Donate Now

Child with cerebral palsy left in forest - survives beyond all odds

Signup for our e-newsletter