In the United States, a child born with a movement disorder like cerebral palsy almost always receives some kind of medical care. No matter how poor the family is, our public health system is able to step in and provide for the basic necessities: crutches, wheelchairs, medication, financial assistance ... Our public school system is geared to provide an education for a student with a disability. We have special buses, special education teachers, and even the Special Olympics to make sure that these children are provided with the best our society has to offer.
Not so in the third world. Bogale's older brother Fakahdu has cerebral palsy and this is what he got: a stick. A tree branch trimmed to his height so he could navigate the rocky pathway to and from his home. A stick to help him cross that rickety bridge.
When his mother Arakash went out to scavenge, she took 12-year-old Fakahdu whenever she could. But, as she explained, he fell down. Often. When a volunteer was there in November 2009, Fakahdu had a large scrape on his head. Arakash said that sometimes she just couldn't manage to take him on the longer journeys. On those days, she locked him in their one-room apartment so that he wouldn't hurt himself.
A pair of crutches (less than $40 on Amazon), were packed into my duffel for my first trip to Africa. Bogale came with us to give them to him.
Fakahdu is intelligent and although he cannot speak, he immediately grasped what the crutches were for and how they could be used. He took a few steps toward the front door of the apartment while his mom alternately sobbed and laughed for joy.
Bogale. I wish one of us had gotten a picture. He was jumping up and down, clapping his hands as if he had just gotten the best gift ever. He knew that this simple gift changed not only Fakahdu's life, but his mother's life as well.
Not so in the third world. Bogale's older brother Fakahdu has cerebral palsy and this is what he got: a stick. A tree branch trimmed to his height so he could navigate the rocky pathway to and from his home. A stick to help him cross that rickety bridge.
When his mother Arakash went out to scavenge, she took 12-year-old Fakahdu whenever she could. But, as she explained, he fell down. Often. When a volunteer was there in November 2009, Fakahdu had a large scrape on his head. Arakash said that sometimes she just couldn't manage to take him on the longer journeys. On those days, she locked him in their one-room apartment so that he wouldn't hurt himself.A pair of crutches (less than $40 on Amazon), were packed into my duffel for my first trip to Africa. Bogale came with us to give them to him.
Fakahdu is intelligent and although he cannot speak, he immediately grasped what the crutches were for and how they could be used. He took a few steps toward the front door of the apartment while his mom alternately sobbed and laughed for joy.
Bogale. I wish one of us had gotten a picture. He was jumping up and down, clapping his hands as if he had just gotten the best gift ever. He knew that this simple gift changed not only Fakahdu's life, but his mother's life as well.
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