FatumasVoice #NotLessAble… Disability is the inability to step up to your mental capacity regardless of your physical ability.

Humanity is fascinated by the idea of perfection. The concept of acceptance is a living aspect that many have struggled to adhere to. Through the 18th to the 21st century, history has shown us how humans can segregate each other via racism, religious and social classism. In our country, Kenya, we have struggled with tribalism for the longest time. But there is another group of people among us whom we have sidelined – the disabled.

Persons with disabilities go through lots of stigmatization. There is an unfortunate perception that this group of people are less capable to lead normal lives. In many of our systems, their conditions are rarely catered for.

What is your understanding of how we ought to live with persons with disability? Do you know anyone in your family, social circles or school who has a disability? How do people relate to them? What do you think society should do to improve the perception of persons with disability so as to make them feel like they are really part of a social fabric without any discrimination?

This Saturday on Fatuma's Voice, we host Maria Omare; founder of The Action Foundation (Kenya), a youth led Non Governmental Organization working in Kibera Slums that provides accessible health care and support to children with disabilities and their families. She and her team shall be engaging us on the experience of working with disabled children. We also get to hear the story of Jack Odhiambo, a young man who lost his hands in a train accident; his journey of dealing with stigmatization and just how disability is not inability.

The poetry and music for the day will be inspiring. Reknown hiphop artiste, Jemedari, shall be among the battalion of performing creatives sharing their art with us. Make a date!