My encounter last week at the National Spinal Injury Hospital

By: Harun M. Hassan

Last Saturday, as usual, I drove to the National Spinal Injury Hospital. I requested a gentleman—whom I later learnt was a brother to one of the patients— to help me drop my wheelchair. He was amazed at how I could drive and still be a physically disabled person after I parked my car and settled on the wheelchair to ease my movement around.
“So you drive,” he wondered, “And you cannot walk…and you’re such warm and joyful.”
“Oh yes, “I replied, “And I was once a patient here, for seven months.”

Harun M. Hassan at a past event. (Photo: Courtesy)

His brother, just like me, was involved in a grisly road accident and suffered spinal cord injury. Like any other new found friend he wanted to know much about me and my disability, and why my disability seemed not to be an issue.

As a wheelchair user for eight years now, sometimes moving about so freely is not that easy. But that has never stopped me from pursuing my dreams and lead a happy life. In fact my disability has opened my eyes to see my true abilities. Not only do I drive within Nairobi, but enjoy long trips to far places like Garissa and recently to Isiolo.

I always tell patients at National Spinal Injury Hospital (and most of them are new entrants to ‘The Disability Club’) that just because, for instance, they lost eyesight doesn’t mean they lack vision. What happened has happened, don’t sit there and whine ‘why me’. It is nonsense and a waste of time to be angry about your disability and other challenges in life. One has to get on with life, anyway.

It’s about God and courage. Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid, courage means you don’t let fear stop you from realising your dreams.

Naturally, people won’t have time for you if you are always angry and complaining. Recognise disability is just a matter of perception. If you can do just one thing well, you’re needed by someone somewhere. Just choose hope and anything is possible.

Neil Marcus, an actor and playwright who has reshaped ways of thinking about disability in USA once wrote “Disability is not a brave struggle, or courage in the face of adversity. Disability is an art. It’s an ingenious [clever] way to live.”

Harum M. Hassan is the Executive Director of Northern Nomadic Disabled Orgnization (NONDO).