Different stakeholders, parents and caregivers of people living with autism have today held an awareness walk within the streets of Nyahururu town aimed at sensitizing the community about the rights of autistic people.
Under the theme ‘’Autism and Humanity, Every Life has Value’’ different speakers led by Chege Wamaratu, an Advocate for Autism Policy in Autism Lights Inc, highlighted the need for both the society and government bodies to work hand in hand in order to minimize the burden of raising these children.
While addressing the media, Chege advised families with autistic children not to underestimate their potential because they have the capability to achieve exploits, giving example of prominent persons in the world like Elon Musk and Billy Gates who live with the condition.
He highlighted the Kenyan County governments’ initiatives to establish policies that facilitate affirmative action and establishment of laws for autistic individuals in terms of opportunities and equal treatment as normal children in the society.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Beatrice Wanjiku and advocate for Autism from Zawadi Centre Nyahururu who advocated for support of single parents struggling alone to raise the autistic children, noting that it is not easy for them to raise autistic children single-handedly.
John Rotich, a dedicated caregiver and a father to a child with autism, openly expressed the challenges he encounters on a daily basis as she strives to meet his child’s unique needs while simultaneously managing the demands of other familial obligations.
He elaborated further by highlighting the persistent difficulties he faces in securing fundamental services and rights assured by the constitution, including access to proper education, reliable healthcare, adequate food security, and stable employment opportunities.
At the same time, he challenged other parents to adopt dietary habits that do not hinder brain activity, such as avoiding sugars, wheat products, and processed foods.
Speakers further advised parents to expose their children to physical exercise to help dissipate their high energy potential.
