How To Appreciate People With Disabilities

April 11, 2023

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James Mua, disabled, showcases his skills in his workshop. James Mua specializes in boat making making him get money for his family who are disabled too .Photo Courtesy Teryani Mwadzaya — James Mua, PWD, working in his workshop in Mtwapa. Photo Courtesy, Teryani Mwadzaya, DevReporter, Kwale County

By Teryani Mwadzaya, DevReporter, Kwale County

Summary

Residents should strive to be ambassadors of people abled differently to echo their rights in parliament.
Disabled people have talents that people should be proud to show.
Disability rights need to be observed according to the Constitution of Kenya.

Many Kenyans neglect People with Disabilities (PWDs) forgetting that disability can crop in at any given time, for example due to accidents , illness as well as operational procedures.

This piece shows the creative talent that people with disabilities and their caregivers have.

The media should strive to change the narrative by also showing how people abled differently improve the lives of others.

Corruption

People with disabilities encounter challenges due to corrupt behaviors by others, which prevents them from enjoying their rights and hence miss out on accessing proper equipment to ease their movement.

James Mua, disabled, showcases furniture he made at the Moorings floating boat workshop Photo Courtesy Teryani Mwadzaya — James Mua shows and explains how he makes the furniture at the Moorings floating boat restaurant. Photo by Teryani Mwadzaya, DevReporter, Kwale

James Mua, deaf and dumb carpenter specializing in boat making as well as household furniture for 38 years, appreciates the blue economy sector as he can work and earn a living despite his inability to hear and speak.

James, who strives to cater for his abled differently family said they understand each other well despite them being deaf and dumb.

James believes that he will be able to provide fees for his daughter, a student at the United States International University of Africa. (USIU)

“I was working in a company as the engineer but there was a lot of corruption, I decided to quit and start boat making”, said James.

According to James, boat making has made his life bearable and has taught him to appreciate the importance of networking, which have further helped him to improve his skills. He takes prides in making furniture for the Moorings floating restaurant in Mtwapa, Kenya.

“I decided not to join organizations that work with disabled people since in my view I think they are misused and they end up not getting good salary”, said James.

Additionally, Patience Mnyazi, a disability ambassador in Mombasa County encourages residents to be ambassadors of persons with disabilities in all counties.

“I urge counties to include people with disabilities in their projects so as to enable them show their talents”, said Patience.

In Kwale County we meet Hamisi Rajabu, a physically disabled man aged 42, who champions the cause for people with disabilities in all matters, to ensure good living standards and to better their lives.

“ I adore helping people abled differently, as they also need to shine like others”, said Rajabu.

Rajabu believes that lobbying and advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities is his focus, for the purposes of ensuring improved lives for them.

The need to lobby for disability rights

What is particularly troubling is evidence from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, which indicates that many people living with disability are unaware of their rights.

Mathias Shipeta, Haki Africa’s rapid response officer, emphasizes the need for residents to advocate for the rights of persons with disability, so as to enable ambassadors who aim to help them, to air their issues, and mainstream them to the government.

“Kenyans should exercise support to persons with disabilities so as to champion their rights”, said Shipeta.