STRIDES OF HOPE

It was at the height of the pandemic in 2020. His wife seeing life being intolerable decided to call it quits and left Joseph Mutua with their three children, with one living with disability. Being a casual worker at one of the factories in the industrial area of Nairobi, he could not raise the children alone. He sought means to take the children to upcountry where life is a bit bearable than the harsh city.

In April 2021, Joseph set off to see his children at upcountry as he had been previously doing for nearly a year. Nairobi was still facing lockdown imposition where movement in and out of the county was limited to only persons offering essential services. Joseph then sought a devious way to beat the system whereby he would board a motorcycle that would use unofficial roads out of the county. If his problems had not started, this is when they began to become real. The bike Joseph had boarded was involved in an accident that caused a metal to puncture his foot.

He was granted 2 months of paid leave to recuperate and all seemed well by June 2021 when he resumed work. One chilly Sunday morning of July, Joseph woke up as usual and decided to hit the local gym to work out and keep warm. He felt unusually cold despite putting in the workout. He decided to go and do laundry and get ready for work the following. Immediately after hanging his clothes dry, he lost control of his wrists and fingers. He could not move his fingers and this came as a surprise. The cold that he felt earlier intensified in his palms and decided to visit a local dispensary. The health facility prescribed some medicine and assured him that he would recover by the time he gets to work the next day. This was not the case.

The following day, Joseph woke up disappointed and worried. He decided to get his cup and walk to the local milk salesperson to get his daily cup. Just a few meters outside his residential gate, his hands dropped and the cup rolled away. His legs then followed suit and he dropped on the ground he stood. Neighbors and fellow milk buyers came to his aid. The helpless man was carried back to his house and it was time to call his family. His father who lives in the kwa Reuben area came immediately after he was informed about Joseph’s situation. Then the family started seeking medical help. They walked to various hospitals that did not assist much in evaluating what was affecting Joseph. As a matter of fact, the medication administered worsened his situation.

Joseph and his family finally got to Kenyatta National Hospital where he got and a full body MRI scan done and he was diagnosed with cervical myelopathy (dislocated spine). He was then admitted and had surgery done on his back. He spent two months at the facility before being discharged. He was asked to seek physiotherapy to help regain movement and this is where he came to Ruben Health Centre’s physio department as a client. Upon enrolment, Joseph could only move his thumbs and had some sensitivity on his left leg. He was bedridden and depressed. He started his physio sessions on 29th October 2021 as disabled man. As of 23rd March 2022, Joseph walks to the facility for his sessions, feeds and dresses himself. He is proud of his milestones and he is an emblem of hope to other clients.

Despite the great health progress, Joseph is the breadwinner of his immediate and extended family. He has been out of employment for nearly a year and physio sessions have even become a challenge to pay. Ruben Centre appeals to any well wishers who can come to Joseph’s aid, and the other needy cases of the physiotherapy department. Donations can be sent to our accounts (reach out for more information)

Photos & Story by: GB