How did the Polio Virus Steal Khair Mohammad’s Dreams of Walking?

Ghor, Afghanistan – In a remote area north of Ferozkoh city in Ghor province, an elderly man with two crutches under his arms struggles to walk down a dusty alley.

This is 55-year-old Khair Mohammad, who contracted polio at the age of two and has been unable to walk on his own ever since.

 

The Beginning of a Difficult Life

Khair Mohammad, a child who had just begun to enjoy the thrill of taking his first steps, fell victim to the poliovirus.

At that time, polio vaccines were not available in Ghor, and public awareness about the disease was extremely low.

He wistfully says, “I wish the polio vaccine had been available back then. Disability is very tough; I spent my entire childhood, adolescence, youth, and now old age relying on these two crutches.”

Since childhood, he has been walking with the aid of crutches. His left leg, paralyzed by polio, is encased in a prosthetic brace provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross. However, with age, even walking with crutches has become increasingly difficult for him.

Khair Mohammad rarely leaves his house. Occasionally, he ventures as far as the nearest road to break the monotony of sitting indoors all day.

 

The Pain That Never Ends

Leaning on his crutches, Khair Mohammad said, “Disability is not just about being paralyzed; it destroys a person’s entire life. Only those who have experienced this burning pain understand how difficult it is. Feeling like a burden on others is an unbearable torment.”

His 47-year-old wife, Fatima, who has witnessed all his struggles and suffering, says, “Polio hasn’t just taken away Khair Mohammad’s physical strength; it has also killed his hopes and dreams. He cannot take a single step without crutches. Watching him endure so much hardship for even the simplest needs like going to the bathroom, breaks my heart.”

 

This is 55-year-old Khair Mohammad, who contracted polio at the age of two and has been unable to walk on his own ever since. © Polio Free Afghanistan/ 2024/ Marzia Frotan

 

Lessons from the Past

Despite numerous challenges, Khair Muhammad has learned a valuable lesson from his difficult life experiences. As a father of seven and grandfather of six, he considers vaccinating his children and grandchildren against polio one of his most important priorities.

“I have felt the pain of polio throughout my entire being. I will never allow my children and grandchildren to suffer from this disease. We vaccinate them every month to ensure their lives are not destroyed like mine,” he emphasized.

Fatima, who has always stood by his side, also stresses the importance of vaccination: “When I see my husband’s suffering, I realize that polio vaccination is not just an option but a responsibility. We have vaccinated all our children, and now our focus is on our grandchildren, who are all healthy thanks to the vaccine.”

 

A Message for the Community

Khair Mohammad is one of the thousands of victims of the poliovirus in Afghanistan.

With his dream of walking independently forever shattered, he has a clear message for the people: “No child should fall victim to polio as I did. Parents must understand the importance of vaccination and ensure their children are protected against this crippling disease. Vaccination not only saves individual lives but also guarantees the health of future generations.”

 

A Future Full of Hope

Though polio has altered Khair Mohammad’s life forever, he remains hopeful for the future and strives to use his bitter experience as a lesson for others.

He dreams of a day when Afghanistan is completely free from the threat of polio, and no child suffers the same fate he did.

Marzia Frotan, Polio Free Afghanistan