Lucy Mumbi, a Kenyan mother from Juja, is one strong woman whose 18-year resilient journey raising a disabled child reflects the challenges many other parents in similar predicaments face daily.
She is the mother of 18-year-old Terry Charity who is currently sitting for her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KCSE) while using an oxygen mask.
When she was born with scoliosis, Lucy knew her daughter would not be able to walk on her own and she would have to be at the beck and call for the rest of her life. A realignment surgery in 2013 did not do much to change Terry’s life and her condition has since reverted.
“I have always had faith that one day she will walk. There is a doctor’s report and God’s report but for her to walk, she has to receive some treatments from the doctors as well,” Lucy told Kenyans.co.ke.
Terry Charity taking her KCSE examinations at King David Junior and Secondary School.
Photo
Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that is most often diagnosed in adolescents but is a condition that Lucy’s daughter has had since birth. Her spine curves forward meaning that she is unable to walk as her legs cannot hold her weight.
From the moment she started school, however, Lucy says that her daughter has always presented good grades despite having to miss school several times a year to visit hospitals. At 18 and a candidate, Terry has breezed her way through school.
Her weak bones have often posed bigger problems especially when they break or fracture causing her to miss school when that happens. Luckily, her condition does not affect the use of her hands and she can easily write and take exams on her own.
Lucy told Kenyans.co.ke that 3 such incidents have happened in the recent past including breaking her legs twice and an arm break that put her out of school for more than a month.
In January this year, things took a turn for the worse when she was diagnosed with a heart condition that left her in need of oxygen 24/7. Doctors told Lucy that her daughter had pulmonary pressure but she has been unable to see a cardiologist that she was referred to at the Kenyatta National Hospital for a clear diagnosis because of scarce funds.
The latter is the aspect of raising Terry that Lucy and her husband have struggled with the most. From hospital charges to commuting to school, buying medication, and buying special fruits and vegetables for her, the bills often pile up.
Lucy, a casual worker, has also had to be the sole breadwinner since Terry’s father has had to stay home with Terry and help with the oxygen machines. Terry relies on the machines that are plugged into electricity during the day and night meaning that the electricity bill is also often high. In case she needs to travel, Terry uses a portable cylinder that also requires a significant amount to refill.
A regular monthly electricity bill from powering the medical equipment adds up to about Ksh13,000.
Every trip they take to the hospital from their home in Juja to Gatundu must be taken in an ambulance because of the oxygen devices she has to rely on which costs around Ksh6,000 per trip.
On this resilient journey, however, Lucy has received help from community members, albeit few times and fleeting. A private school she was attending a while back for instance paid for her commute to the school for a short while before they stopped.
The taxi rides she is currently taking to school to sit for her final exam is also funded by people people from the community who have banded together to ensure that she takes all her KCSE examinations without worry.
The Kiambu Huduma Centre coordinator, Susan Wambui, has rallied her friends and community members to ensure that this period is as stress-free as possible for both the candidate and her mother.
As she continues to take her examination, her parents are certain that the results will be impressive and will take her place.
“I would like to tell Kenyans to help us so that the child can get better treatment because we know that when she finishes her KCSE she will score good marks. We also hope she will receive a scholarship to university,” Lucy said.
The Kiambu Huduma Centre Cordinator Susan Wambui and colleague prepare Terry to leave for school.
Photo
