A Story of Hope: From Paralysis to Prevention

Date: March 6, 2023

Location: Mpalo, Kasaka – Gomba District

Organization: Wide Smiles for All Through Education

By: Moses Mawanda Muwanguzi

As part of my usual outreach work with Wide Smiles for All Through Education, I visited the rural villages of Mpalo in Gomba District. On that day, I met a family whose story deeply touched me and reminded me why this work matters.

Meeting Jane

I was first welcomed by a joyful little girl named Namukasa Jane, about 6 years old. Though she was full of life, I quickly noticed something unusual she couldn’t walk on her own. She was crawling around the compound alone. She could speak, and when I greeted her with a “hello,” she smiled warmly.

As I got closer, I realized Jane was paralyzed.

“What happened to you?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” she replied sweetly.
“Where is your mother?”
“She went to the garden.”

Because of Jane’s condition, I couldn’t ask her to fetch her mother, so I followed the direction she pointed and walked to the garden.

Talking to Jane’s Mother

When I reached the garden, her mother greeted me warmly:

“Tusanyuse okulaba” (You are welcome).

Though she didn’t know me, her kindness was evident. I asked if we could sit and talk, and she agreed. Just nearby, a baby about 6 months old was crawling on the ground.

“Is this your baby?”
“Yes,” she replied.

We sat together, and I gently asked her, “What happened to Jane?”

Her voice dropped slightly:

“Nange simanya” (I don’t know). One fateful day, her condition just started to change. We took her to the hospital, but it kept getting worse. She’s alive… but she cannot walk.”

 A Possible Diagnosis: Polio

Later, I spoke with Mr. Kenneth Kasule, the Director of Wide Smiles for All Through Education. We were both moved, but unsure of the next step.

I then called Dr. Douglas, a friend and medical doctor. After a deep conversation, he mentioned that such conditions are often caused by preventable diseases like polio.

Returning to the Family

A week later, I returned to the family. It was a Sunday, and fortunately, I found them all at home mother, father, Jane, and the baby boy.

“What’s the name of the toddler?”
“Joseph,” they told me.

I asked if Joseph had received any vaccinations. The mother shook her head.

“Why?” I asked.
“We didn’t know,” they said.
“Were you given a vaccination card when Joseph was born?”
“Yes,” they said, “but Emmese (rats) ate it both Jane’s and Joseph’s.”

I was shocked. The children had only received the first dose of vaccines and nothing more.

Taking Action

I asked if I could accompany them to the hospital the next day, and they agreed.

Since then, Joseph has started receiving all his vaccines. I took it upon myself to regularly call their mother to remind her of vaccination dates.

Joseph is now a healthy, happy boy, and is about to start school. I spoke with Mr. Kasule, and he kindly agreed to enroll him in our program at Wide Smiles for All Through Education.

Jane Today

Sadly, Jane remains paralyzed, but there is a light in her life. Wide Smiles provided her with a wheelchair. She is now able to move more freely and smiles more often. The family, once unsure and overwhelmed, is now hopeful and happy.

Why your child should get vaccinated?

According to CDC “Immunity is the body’s way of preventing disease. Because a baby’s immune system is not fully developed at birth, babies face a greater risk of becoming infected and getting seriously ill. Vaccines help teach the immune system learn how to defend against germs. Vaccination protects your baby by helping build up their natural defenses.

1. Children are exposed to thousands of germs every day. This happens through the food they eat, the air they breathe, and the things they put in their mouth.

2. Babies are born with immune systems that can fight most germs, but some germs cause serious or even deadly diseases a baby can’t handle. For those, babies need the help of vaccines.

3. Vaccines use very small amounts of antigens to help your child’s immune system recognize and learn to fight serious diseases. Antigens are the parts of a germ that cause the body’s immune system to go to work.”

Vaccines can prevent common diseases that used to seriously harm or even kill infants, children, and adults. Without vaccines, your child is at risk of becoming seriously ill or even dying from childhood diseases such as measles and whooping cough

Written By

Moses Mawanda

Volunteer Wide Smiles for All Through Education