When Terry Charity was born nearly 18 years ago, her mother, Lucy Mumbi, knew she would always be there for her daughter whenever she needed her.
Lucy Mumbi is one of the many resilient mothers raising a child with disabilities, a challenge faced by many Kenyan parents. Her daughter is now taking her KCSE exams, even while reliant on an oxygen mask.
Eighteen years ago, Terry Charity was born with scoliosis, a condition that causes the spine to curve in a C or S shape. Since birth, she has been unable to walk on her own.
In 2013, Terry underwent a realignment surgery, but despite the effort, her condition remained unchanged, and her spine eventually returned to its previous state.
“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,” said Charity’s mother.
Despite frequently missing school for clinic visits, Terry consistently performed well in her exams and tests from the time she started school.
Recently, Terry had to miss over a month of school due to a broken arm. Her fragile bones also make her legs vulnerable to fractures.
Now, she’s close to finishing high school. Thankfully, scoliosis hasn’t affected her hand and finger mobility, allowing her to write and complete her exams with ease.
In January, Terry was diagnosed with a heart condition requiring her to be on oxygen around the clock due to high pulmonary pressure. Unfortunately, she hasn’t been able to see a cardiologist yet because of financial constraints.
Terry’s parents, Lucy Mumbi and Paul Njiru have faced constant challenges to keep up with her medical and educational needs. From covering hospital bills and medication costs to buying nutritious food and handling daily expenses. The bills keep on piling up.
Moi University announces reopening date after one-month closure
Terry’s mother is the breadwinner for the family, working as a casual labourer. Her husband, Paul, stays home to manage the oxygen machines that Terry needs 24/7.
The machines must be plugged in day and night, leading to high electricity bills that average around Sh. 13,000 a month. The community has rallied around Terry’s family, offering support to ensure she can focus on her KCSE exams without worries.
“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,” said Terry’s mother.
