How Cerebral Palsy Has Affected My Education

WHAT IS CEREBRAL PALSY

Cerebral Palsy is a condition that affects the brain before, during, or after birth. This condition is caused by lack of oxygen in the brain thus leads to the spasticity and ataxicity of the muscles.

The type of CP I have is known as Spastic. Spastic means lack of stability of the muscles, thus makes someone to do something at a slower pace. Things like writing, eating, playing etc.

At many times people with this condition, get astound when something unusual happens; like a bang. This leads to shuddering for few minutes then they get composed.

Due to the spasticity, they cannot do work that require the use of the upper limbs. For example, I want to connect some appliances at home like DVD player, computer etc. I know the appropriate procedure, but I cannot do it myself I have to call someone to fixed it for me. When I am alone, I try my best to fix what I am able to do.

Sometimes I feel so bad when someone asks me to do something for them, but they immediately change their mind and ask someone else. They insinuate that I cannot do effectively yet I am able to do.

I always say am not disabled, am differently abled. Disabled means not able to do anything; but that is wrong because am able to; type, preach, play, socialize etcetera. Furthermore, Bible says, “God is able.”  The same Bible articulates “we are made in the image of God.” To me the word disabled contradicts the bible.

In my life, I have met people who despise themselves because they are different from others. That is wrong since if you do not respect yourself first, no one will respect you. Because your interpersonal relationship is determined by your intrapersonal relationship.

The reason why I use computer for typing, is that I cannot write by hand. This is a major challenge because; I was supposed to do my IGCSE exam this year, but because I can’t write we have to look for another alternative.

At first, we had two alternatives; the first one was I go in exam room with my aid. This was not possible because the aid might write the wrong thing from what I am telling him/her. On the other hand, he/she can show me the answers.  

The other one was I use a laptop; this is very efficient way for me. Unfortunately, I type at a slower pace. For example, the exam is strictly two hours, and I can type three paragraphs for forty-five minutes. That is one section out of the six sections.

For now, we are looking for an alternative, which I can be able to do my O-level exam in order to go to the university. My dream university is the Cambridge university in the

United Kingdom.  

MY FUTURE EXPECTIONS

The Bible says, “Where there is no vision, that place will collapse”. Because I do not want to collapse, I have a vision. My vision is divided into small goals, to be able to achieve one at a time.

My big vision is to have a multinational business in the Real Estate sector in all of Africa. This has been my passion since I was a kid. Secondly, I wish to make awareness of Cerebral Palsy globally so that people may have a positive attitude towards Cerebral Palsy.

People must know Cerebral Palsy is not a disease, but is a condition that emerges before, during or after birth. This does not make a person inferior or unable to do anything. People with CP can do many things if only the society could allow them to do them slightly differently.  E.g., I am a motivational speaker, I motivate people through social media.

In the past, people with special needs have been taken as substandard people in the society. For example; when they want something, they are not taken seriously as other people in the society.

Many buildings in Kenya do not have an escalator; that makes it intricate for people with special needs transiting from one place to another. Governments should ensure all places are passable to people with special needs, thus making them mainstreamed.

I want to remove the stigma that people are having towards people with special needs. Today you may find some companies not employing these people because of the negative mindset they are having.

I would also want to empower these people so they don’t take themselves as inferior people in the society. Because if they do not give themselves dignity, no one will.  They must show that they are able to do something unique.

Who Am I?

My name is Brian Simiyu, I was born in the year 1996 and I have Cerebral Palsy. Actually my mother had delayed labor that lasted for over 48 hours, which according to science, is a major cause of cerebral palsy.

After I was delivered, my breathing system wasn’t functioning well. The doctors had to put me in the incubator for a month. By then, the chances of me surviving were very minimal and left to speculation.

I can only imagine what was going through my parents’ mind. After I was discharged from the incubator; my parents didn’t realize that I had Cerebral Palsy. Months went on and on without I crying.

My dad, James Simiyu (May his soul rest in peace) decided to take me to a Dr. Eseli Simiyu at Kenyatta National Hospital where I started attending therapy sessions at the same hospital.

When I was 3, my dad suffered kidney failure. He was placed on biweekly dialysis sessions to save his life. this put a strain on my parents’ finances though by Grace of God it didn’t greatly affect my therapy sessions.

My parents had to hire an aide to assist me at home and accompany me to my therapy sessions. Very few people would have a big heart for persons with cerebral palsy and other impairments in general.

By then I found a speech therapist Elizabeth Kruger, who saw my potential and the bright future which lied ahead of me. With her help I managed to join the Cerebral Palsy Society of Kenya (CPSK), which its therapy fee was quite affordable than the one at Kenyatta Hospital.

MY SCHOOL LIFE

At the age of 8, my parents decided to take me to school, because they didn’t want to lock me in the house; (which I really praise them for). Fortunately they found a special school away from Nairobi that catered for kids with physical impairments like mine in Thika called Joytown special school.

As a shock, I went directly to class two, and I managed to catch up very swiftly without going through nursery, pre-unit and class one, which  appeared conspicuous to me coz anyway,  how can a child directly join class two without following the protocols?

From that my parents started to have confidence in me. I did my first exam and the results were really impressive, because the exam had multiple choices A, B, C and D.

Now when I reached class four, the problem of writing emerged. I couldn’t write composition and insha (the Kiswahili composition). That greatly affected my performance but I was still ranging at top 10.

So my dad opted to transfer me to Star special school which is directed by Mr. Kepha Anywanza. Unfortunately his school was up to class four, so they had find another alternative which was inevitable.

They opted to take me to the neighboring day school; the school actually was a normal school, and board at Mr. Anywanza’s school. I was still in class four third term, so did my first exam; and my performance was exemplary good.  That term I learnt a little because of the transition besides I took time to settle.

When I entered class five, unfortunately my dad passed away due to Kidney failure. This was a major set back; mum was left being the bread winner with her not so stable job.

Mr. Anywanza saw that I had potential; consequently he couldn’t suspend me coz of the school fees. So I learnt in his school without paying a single cent for a year. For which I wish to praise him for that.

After that one year, my mum went and talked to the Cerebral Palsy Society of Kenya; and it agreed to pay the school fees until I reach class eight. This actually took the hand of God, coz it isn’t easy to go to an organization and ask for a favor and it grants you right there.

At school, my performance peaked; in that I managed to be at the top out of 140 able students. Even I was able to do complicated sums off head. By then the teachers were able to read my handwriting.

When I reached class eight, the hard rock hit me; I was aiming to get 400 marks and above in my KCPE in order to go to a national school. So I worked extra harder, waking up at 3a.m to revise. Only to realize I can’t do composition and insha, which were worth 40 marks each.

           

Early that year, we wrote to Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) requesting them to let me use a laptop. They didn’t reply the e-mail; so as an assumption we thought they agreed to let me use the laptop.

Two month prior to the exam, again we wrote them. Fortunately this time they responded saying I can use it only under strict supervision by the invigilator. So we said no problem!

The drama ensued on the exam day; I came with my laptop as usual, prepared to tackle the exam. When the composition time came, the invigilator was very reluctant to allow me to use my laptop. My aid told them to call KNEC and confirm if am eligible to use a laptop, surprisingly they said no.

So I didn’t do the two papers, which meant the probability of me getting 400 marks was then below 30%. A month later, the results were out; and my instincts were proved right.

I got 316 marks which was unsatisfactory to me. So I accepted the fact I wasn’t able to attain the 400 target, which it was hard to accept. So I moved on, coz once the sun has raised it can’t reverse…

Fortunately 4 months prior to the exam, my story was aired on K24, and it got massive response. But what I wanted is to get a sponsor to pay for my O-level education. Fortunately I found a sponsor.

I went for an IGCSE curriculum school, Kenya Community Centre for Learning (KCCL). The school did greatly impact my life in a positive way; it made me a school goal keeper which I didn’t know I have such a talent.

My future expectations are to pursue a bachelor in commerce, masters in business administration and philosophy doctorate on the same. And do real estate business as a career.

MY SOCIAL LIFE

My social life hasn’t been that impressive due to some people mindset. They think that if they interact with someone with special needs they will get infected. I want to uproot this mentality from people by organizing forums all over the world.

 By doing this, the world would be aware what cerebral palsy is and how to relate to people with this condition. Also they need to educate their children on the same, because many kids may not understand resulting teasing these people.

When I was in primary, my peers were very happy with me. They used to help me a lot e.g. writing notes, helping me when we go for school’s tours etc. I really want appreciate them from the bottom of my heart.

Sometimes 10% of my former friends took the advantage that I’m with special needs. Some use lie at me; they would do some nasty things and find a white lie that I cant defend myself by talking. But I forgave them literally.

Another disadvantage that I face is to express myself by talking; my speech is perceptible but not clear. That’s makes me not to make friends. I have to use someone who understands my speech.

But if someone stay with me for a minimum of 3 months; he/she probably be able to understand my speech. The challenge now comes when I meet someone new and am alone; since we can’t communicate orally I have to write on a phone. Sometimes people think I have a mental disorder or am ignoring them; because they ask me a question “where is someone?” Then I take a phone to write. That is

like ignoring the person yet am not.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE INSPIRED ME

Wise men say “the only thing that begins from the top is the grave”. What I am it has taken many people a hard task to motivate me, my parents, teachers, therapist, sponsors and my pastor.

The first person who inspires me is God; if it were not for him I wouldn’t be here. Sometimes I wonder why did God chose me to be a motivational speaker yet my speech is slurred? That’s tells me God can use anything to do his work regardless of its capability.

The second person is my mum, since my dad went to be with the LORD she has been the backbone of our family. She has never let us sleep on empty stomach, never allow any one to intimidate us and never felt ashamed of me. May she live to see her great grand children!

Third person is Joel Osteen (the senior pastor at the Lakewood church); his father died and he was left to pastor the church. Unfortunately he didn’t have the experience to minister to any congregation. Now he is world’s most renowned gospel minister.

The fourth person is actually my mentor; George Wachiuri, the founder of Optiven Limited. What inspires me about him is that he has a passion for business and furthermore he has ventured into Real estate sector which is my dream business.
   

CHALLENGES WHICH I HAVE FACE

The main problem which I have encountered so far, it is the

transport issue. Sometimes I want to go somewhere I have

to use public transport which is non-conducive to people

with special needs. 

Some drivers of public vehicles; when they see me with a

wheelchair they assume I want to go somewhere. They

insinuate that it will take time before I enter. So I opt to

walk the bus station instead of using my wheelchair.

I can walk up to 1.5 kilometers when someone gives me a

little support. But sometimes I find no one to take me

somewhere so I have to forgo that occasion like christian

concerts. Sometimes it may rain and I need to go

somewhere, that means I can’t attend that occasion.

Another problem is eating; because my muscles are

paroxysmal (they aren’t stable). As a result of that I can’t

be able to feed myself using spoon, there have to be

someone to feed me. But solid foods like pizza I can eat by

myself.

I like swimming very much, unfortunately I can’t swim on

my own; someone has to support me. Now am learning to

be independent in the water using a floater. I believe soon I

will be able to swim independently.

 MY PERSONALITY

Brian Simiyu is a very straight forward person; he likes fun activities like football, team building and swimming. What he like about team building is he has to make new friends, which is one of his hobbies.

Recently I have come to realize I got a talent of writing. At first, I used to say “I can’t motivate people because my speech isn’t clear”. But one day I started writing encouraging words on my facebook timeline and p0eople commented on it. Then I realized I have a talent in writing.

My hobbies are; listening to music, reading motivational books, swimming and many more.