Families of persons with disabilities face and experience various challenges physically, socially and economically, but above of others, they are emotionally burdened and reads to deep sadness, depression, stress, stigma, anger, loneliness and discrimination from the society and their family members in general. That is why they need counselling so that feel comfortable.
In the event prepared by Rwanda Union of Little People of counselling families (Parent, spouses or guardian) of Persons with Short Stature and share the information related to sexual reproductive health, they show that they face discrimination from their neighbors, families and society in general and it affect their family members who have disabilities because it makes them feel shame, burden and problems in the family.
One mother said that her daughter was always shame of her height and body shape. One day, she asked why she is so short with those parts of her body. “At that time, I didn’t know what to reply, but I told her that God created us differently. Some are short and others are tall, some are brown and others are black and white. Some are women while others are men” . This mother gave her daughter an example that she is so short but fatty while the mother is toll but skinny. So, this moment, she knows that she has disability but also it is in the way of God’s creating. “Simply, I make her understand that what important is that she has every part of the body and never understand people’s negative words toward her height”. She added.
BUNTUBWINANA M. Appoline, former RULP Legal Representative said that it is okay to have short stature because it is God’s will, but it seems to be an issue in the society because of different experiences.
“Generally, society’s negative mindset toward persons with Short Stature is an issue that needs to be addressed as well because this is where we grow, get culture, friendship, raise thinking and everything happens from society. So, when they start to show you negatively that you are different, a burden or problem, unable, giving you negative names, etc; it become a problem” She said. She continued saying that it is where bad believes and rumors started that they are half persons, cannot give birth, having sex with a Person with Short stature cure curse, back pain and HIV/AIDS, “which is wrong”. She added.
For the spouses of persons with Short Stature, they said that dating was not even a little easy because of the negative mindset of their families and society toward their fiancés. A man who has no disability who married a woman with short stature explained how their dating was like.
” When I was dating her, no one supported me saying that she is a half person that we will never have kids but I neglected them” He said.
“When I introduced her to my family, they asked me whether I am okay with my mind and I replied that I am fine. Rumors were said that she gave me money to marry her, but I was confident of her. I wanted a woman who will love me, bring peace and whom we will have a successful marriage. Today we are parents of a daughter and son and I love her so much as I see she is a person like others” He added.
He talked that he support her where she needs any support and it is vice versa. “Simply, we love each other”. He mentioned.
Honorine Tuyishimire, RULP Executive Director requested the parents, spouses and guardians of persons with short stature to be the first to support them.
“As parents, spouses, and guardians, you are the first source of strength and confidence for persons with short stature. Your support, love, and belief in their abilities can break barriers and open doors to opportunities. Let’s stand together to ensure they live with dignity, independence, and the freedom to reach their full potential”. She said.
At this point, parents, spouses and guardians talked about how they try to help them in every day’s life.
A spouse to a woman with short stature talked that he support her where she needs any support and it is vice versa. “Simply, we love each other”. He mentioned.
A mother to a girl with short stature also said testified how she helps her daughter as other siblings.
“My daughter has Short Stature and I tried all my best to let her go to school. She was once bullied by her colleagues saying that she is so short, she looks like baby, she cannot give birth and many other things that discourage her from going to school” She spoke.