People with mental disabilities face enormous challenges in various aspects of daily life. The stigma attached to their disabilities is largely responsible for the neglect and abuse they suffer. Normal people very often forget that the PWMD also has a right to live as a human being, with dignity, respect and honour. The condition of their disability makes them dependant on their parents, caregivers and community. However, frequently this critical help is denied to them making them extremely vulnerable to social injustice.
Take for instance the case of Njoroge, a 16 year old boy with mental disabilities. “I am waylaid by men stronger than me. They forcefully sodomise me and then threaten me if I speak to anyone. It hurts me a lot and it is very painful when I go to the toilet. When my mother approached KSMH, they immediately took action. I now feel safe and secure. My life has changed for better.” There are many such people out there who are suffering in silence.
Wangui is another case in point. Her sexual abuse was intense. Unknown to her mother, she was raped regularly by married men in the surrounding community who took advantage of the fact that Wangui was unable to understand what was happening to her. She was in a special unit when she was found to be pregnant and expelled. No one cared how she got pregnant. She miscarried and then was put in a special school. She started walking in a funny way and education officer reported the case to KSMH. She was taken to a doctor and the medical examination revealed her extremely bad condition – not only did she have sexually transmitted infections (STI) but she was also HIV positive. An official from KSMH spoke to her. She described her ordeals in her own simple way. “I am always approached by these nice men who give me something for myself. Sometimes it is something to eat, other times a bit of money. Then they take me and touch and do something here (she points at her abdomen and private parts). At times it is all right. Other times it is very painful and I cry. I don’t tell my mother. She will scold me.”
Wangui was then brought out of those surroundings. Her treatment was arranged. She is now protected from the community.