A widowed mother and her only polio-affected son
Rahmatullah Marjankhil
Ghazni, Afghanistan – Muhammad Azam, an 18-year-old resident of the Qarabagh district in Ghazni, contracted polio at the age of eight due to a lack of vaccination, which resulted in the paralysis of both his legs.
He, who walks with great difficulty, aided by his cane, resides in a dirt house with his widowed mother and sister in a Kochianoo village of the mentioned district.
Muhammad Azam, seated beside his mother, expressed in a sad manner, “The most challenging days of my life began when my father passed away when I was seven years old, leaving me alone. Then, at the age of eight, I contracted polio and became paralyzed.”
18-year-old Muhammad Azam is the only son of his widowed mother who contracted polio at the age of eight which has paralyzed both his legs © Polio Free Afghanistan/2024/ Rahmatullah Marjankhil
“In addition to this, the economic situation of our family is not good. If someone lends a helping hand, we manage to get by. If not, we are left in the hands of God’s will,” he further added.
He shared that he is unable to work due to his disability caused by polio. When he sees his peers in the village leading healthy lives, studying and working, it causes him great pain, and he feels a profound sense of helplessness and powerlessness.
Muhammed Azam attributes all his misfortune to polio, and states that if he had been healthy, his life would not have been plagued by such profound suffering.
“Sometimes, I think, if my parents had vaccinated me during my childhood, I wouldn’t have had to suffer from this painful disease. I could have pursued an education, become independent, and improved not just my own life but also the lives of my entire family,” he expressed.
He expressed with sadness that polio has impacted his life to such an extent that he requires assistance from others in everything.
He expressed his concern about his future, saying, “In our society, individuals with disabilities are overlooked. Despite my mother’s efforts to secure my future and arrange an engagement, we struggle to find a family willing to be friends with us.”
Reflecting on the hardships of his life, Muhammed Azam urges families not to let their children suffer the same fate as his. Instead, he implores them to prioritize their children’s health and future by ensuring regular vaccination against polio, thereby preventing the risk of paralysis from this debilitating disease.
Muhammad Azam helping his mother draw water from a well © Polio Free Afghanistan/2024/ Rahmatullah Marjankhil
His mother, who was sitting next to him, said in a hoarse voice that she has seen many pains in her life, but the pain of her only son’s suffering from polio is the worst.
She added, “My son was only seven years old when my husband passed away. At the age of eight, he contracted polio, which left both of his legs paralyzed and rendered him unable to work. We had no one to turn to for help or treatment. Out of necessity, I took him to the doctor. The doctor informed me that my son had not received vaccinations and had contracted polio, a disease with no cure.”
She explains that there was a conflict in their area of residence ten to fifteen years ago. No one even remembered vaccinations, and everyone was concerned about their protection.
She said, “The pain of a child cuts deep. No mother should watch her child suffer. The condition of my only son deeply distresses me. Had I known that he would contract polio and become disabled, I would have done everything in my power to ensure his vaccination.”
This heartbroken mother strongly urges all parents not to make any excuses, but to ensure their children are vaccinated under any circumstances. So that they can be safeguarded from polio and other diseases.
Abdul Basir, approximately 26 years old, and a neighbor of Muhammad Azam, says that he has witnessed firsthand the suffering that polio has caused in Muhammad Azam’s life. Unable to work, Muhammad Azam only has his mother and sister, with no other person to lend a helping hand.
He added, “Sadly, many families in our society don’t vaccinate their children during childhood. This leads to them contracting polio, resulting in a lifetime of challenges.”
He says, “Polio is a disabling disease that can only be prevented through vaccination. If, God forbid, a child contracts this disease, then, like Muhammad Azam, they will be unable to work or study, resulting in them becoming burdens on their family and society.”
