Disability is not inability

“As Catholic sisters, and especially as Franciscan Sisters of St. Anna, we are called to serve those who are most vulnerable. Our commitment to alleviating suffering and fostering positive change continues to compel us to let our voices speak for the many vulnerable entrusted to us.” says sister Beatrice Jane, who runs St. Martin De Porres Special School in Kisumu, Kenya, which serves over 300 children with various disabilities. Hers is not just a narration of an experience, but a call for a paradigm shift in offering care, support, and compassion for vulnerable people.

Sr. Beatrice’s journey began as a teacher in regular schools. However, a deep-rooted calling led her to explore special education, an experience that began in 2003 when she was called to work in a school for the hearing impaired. “Despite having no prior experience with sign language,” she told Vatican News, “my determination and compassion propelled me forward.” Today, she is a fluent communicator with the deaf.

Sr. Beatrice acts as their confidante, guide, mentor, and mother figure. Her role extends far beyond language acquisition. “I oversee a community of over three hundred children grappling with various disabilities, from cerebral palsy, physical impairments, intellectual disabilities, and more.”

The path to enter her school is not easy. In order for children to receive a proper diagnosis and appropriate placement in schools, parents must navigate a complex system of medical and educational assessments before their children can be admitted. “Our school is a home for these children,” she explained. “Many of whom are confined to their homes, treated as burdens, invisible to the world; this isolation exacerbates the children’s vulnerabilities and limits their opportunities.”

The school serves as a lifeline for many, a place where children find acceptance, freedom, friendship, a sense of belonging, opportunities to learn and grow, and, most importantly, love within its walls. Sr. Beatrice’s steadfast belief in her students’ potential has proven infectious. She sees not disabilities, but untapped abilities. Her positive attitude is a proof to her philosophy: “Disability is not inability.” She sees beyond their challenges, recognizing the potential that lies within each child.

“Running the school is a constant uphill battle,” she noted, pointing to the immense challenges her school faces. Inadequate government support, a lack of resources, and the overwhelming needs of her students are evident. Society often views these children as burdens, placing additional strain on Sr. Beatrice and her team.

Many parents cannot afford basic necessities, let alone the costs of specialized care and education. Their parents, overwhelmed by the challenges of raising a child with disabilities, often turn to their grandparents for support. “The government,” noted Sr. Beatrice, “offers minimal support, leaving institutions like ours to shoulder the weight of these challenges on their own.” Her religious congregation, too, struggles to meet the overwhelming needs of its students. Yet, Sr. Beatrice and her team persevere, providing not just education but essential care, including food, clothing, and medical attention.

Perhaps the most heart-breaking challenge is the indifference of the wider community. Instead of offering support, the school is often seen as a resource to be tapped. The school and its students are invited to contribute to Church activities but sometimes receive little in the way of financial support. In an interview with Vatican News, Madam Claris Achieng Olare, a parent whose son suffers Cerebral Palsy, says, the stigma they suffer as parents is how people think that the parents must have done something wrong and hence the consequence is as such. She appeals to the society to embrace this truth that such cases are there, and the important thing is to accept and provide the care and support needed to such children without prejudice.

Despite these hurdles, there are moments of extraordinary triumph. One young woman, once unable to read or write, has blossomed into a preacher and a source of inspiration for her peers. “Such stories fuel my passion and drive me to continue caring for these children, to create a world where every child, regardless of their abilities, is valued and supported,” said Sr. Beatrice and adds: “These children are celebrated, not pitied,”

In conclusion, the religious sister invites everyone to nurture the dreams and potential of children with disabilities. “Join us,” she said, “in building a world where disability is indeed not inability, but a catalyst for extraordinary achievements.”

dida St. Martin de Porres learners, shading pictures and playing games after attending a National Music Festival in Nyeri County.

#sistersproject

By Sr. Roselyne Wambani Wafula, fsp