Mary Kuffour calls for kindness towards families of children with disabilities

Mary Amoah Kuffour, founder of a school supporting children with disabilities, has appealed to the public to show greater kindness and understanding towards families raising children with disabilities. According to Kuffour, many families quietly endure emotional, physical and financial challenges that are often invisible to people around them. She said society must therefore be careful not to mock, stigmatise or dismiss the experiences of such families, stressing that people may be dealing with struggles that others know nothing about. “Don’t laugh at the pain of others,” Kuffour said in an interview on The Delay Show, where she appeared with her 23-year-old daughter, Nana Yaa, who is living with autism. Kuffour, who has spent years supporting children with disabilities, said the challenges faced by families can extend far beyond what is seen in public. She noted that raising a child with additional needs can affect a family’s emotional wellbeing, daily routines, finances and long-term plans, while parents may also have to contend with uncertainty about their children’s future. She urged people to be mindful of the words and attitudes they direct towards families and children with disabilities. “Be gentle and kind,” she said, explaining that her appeal was not for people to pity families but to recognise that they may be carrying burdens that are not immediately visible. Kuffour also spoke about the importance of acceptance, saying families need to feel welcomed rather than judged or made to feel different. She expressed concern that stigma remains a reality for families raising children with disabilities, including within places where they would ordinarily expect acceptance and support. For her, greater awareness and acceptance can help create environments where children with disabilities and their families can participate in society with dignity. Kuffour, who runs three centres in Accra providing support, early intervention and vocational training for children and young people with disabilities, said the growing number of families seeking support underscores the need for society to respond with greater understanding. She called on the public to look beyond a person's disability and recognise their humanity, abilities and potential. Her own daughter's experience, she said, has taught her that inclusion and acceptance can make a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with disabilities and their families. AMSource: www.ghanaweb.com
« Previous | Next »