A polio victim who gives joy and hope to other polio victims
Marzia Frotan
Herat, Afghanistan – Abdulrahim Radanmish, a 36-year-old resident of Herat Province whose legs were paralyzed by polio, sits in a care center for the disabled in his wheelchair among dozens of children and teenagers who are also paralyzed and disabled by polio.
He provides awareness and education to these children and teenagers, helping them improve their abilities and lifestyle.
In this care center, established by the Pir-e-Herat Charity Foundation, live 60 children and teenagers, aged between seven and twenty, who are disabled due to polio.
Radanmish recounts that approximately thirty-four years ago, at the age of two, he contracted polio due to his family’s lack of awareness and failure to vaccinate him.
He added that he attended school up to the eighth grade, but due to his disability and his family’s poor economic situation, he was unable to graduate.
He, who is married and has four children, says that due to his polio-induced disability, he experienced many hardships during his childhood and youth.
He stated that due to the lack of facilities, life in Afghanistan is very difficult for the disabled, and they are also viewed negatively by society, leading to the deprivation of their rights.
Radanmish added, “Due to the use of wheelchairs, the disabled face challenges in accessing parks, public and private institutions, as well as participating in social activities.”
Abdulrahim Radanmish, a 36-year-old resident of Herat Province whose legs were paralyzed due to polio, sits in a care center for the disabled in his wheelchair among dozens of children and teenagers who are also paralyzed and disabled by polio. © Polio Free Afghanistan/2024/Marzia Frotan
But according to him, despite the challenges, he finds joy in educating and mentoring dozens of disabled people like him in the care center.
He added that drawing from his own experience with disability, thirteen years ago, with the help of a friend, he became involved with the Pir-e-Herat Charity Foundation.
He said, “For many years, I have been educating polio victims who were rejected by their families at this care center established by the mentioned foundation for the care of the disabled. I strive to teach them literacy and skills to increase their abilities and help them become independent.”
As a young man disabled by polio for the past 34 years, Radanmish urges families not to overlook their children’s vaccinations.
He emphasizes that vaccination is the only way to protect children from the deadly and paralyzing disease of polio, and it is the responsibility of parents to ensure their children are vaccinated during every campaign.
In this care center, established by the Pir-e-Herat Charity Foundation, live 60 children and teenagers, aged between seven and twenty, who are disabled due to polio © Polio Free Afghanistan/2024/Marzia Frotan
Polio-affected children living in this care center, built by the Pir-e-Herat Charity Foundation, are grateful for the care they receive here and are hopeful for their future lives.”
An eleven-year-old boy named Javed, who contracted polio at the age of one, has been living at this care center, away from his family, for the past two years.
He said that his teacher, Abdul Rahman Radanmish, always brings joy and hope to other disabled people.
Seventeen-year-old Mohammad Salim is another disabled individual who has been living in this care center for a year and a half.
He says that due to economic problems, his family cannot take care of him, which is why they have entrusted him to this care center. Here, he lives as a family with other disabled people.
He adds that when he is with Radanmish, he feels energized and his hopes come alive.
