The Story of a Young Man Disabled by Polio

Paktika, Afghanistan – Hekmat, a 24-year-old young man from the Chakn village of Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, contracted polio at the age of three.

He narrates his tragic story as told by his parents: “I was three years old when I suddenly developed a fever and had a seizure. After visiting the doctor, it was revealed that I had contracted the debilitating disease of polio,” he said.

Hekmat, whose legs are now paralyzed, attributes his misfortune to the lack of vaccination. “If I had received the polio vaccine as a child, I would be healthy now and wouldn’t have to live with such suffering,” he said.

As the youngest of his siblings, Hekmat shared, “My parents prioritized my education and other aspects of my life over my siblings’ to make up for their negligence in not vaccinating me as a child.”

 

The Start of Education

In his early school years, Hekmat faced numerous challenges due to his disability, but with the support of his family, he not only graduated from high school but also earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Ghazni University.

For Hekmat, university was not just a time of intellectual growth—it was a turning point in his life. It was during this period that he found the determination to work, not only for himself but also for other disabled individuals.

 

Hekmat, whose legs are now paralyzed, attributes his misfortune to the lack of vaccination, saying, “If I had received the polio vaccine as a child, I would be healthy now and wouldn’t have to live with such suffering” © Polio Free Afghanistan/ 2024/ Rahmatullah Marjankhil

 

Leadership of the Disabled Community

After graduating from university, Hekmat served as the head of Paktika’s Association for Disabled Individuals for four years. During his tenure, he worked tirelessly to advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities and promote their integration into society. Thanks to his efforts, many disabled people gained access to employment opportunities and became aware of their rights.

“In my four years of service, I successfully secured jobs for over 90 individuals with disabilities in government institutions. I also organized regular awareness programs to improve their lives. However, after the fall of the Republic of Afghanistan, the licenses for many organizations, including ours, were revoked, and we can no longer operate,” he said.

 

Passion for Cricket

Hekmat is also a passionate cricket fan and actively participates in the sport.

He expressed that cricket is important for his physical activity and brings him joy when he plays. He also mentioned that it helps him build connections within the community and boosts his morale.

“Just as the Afghanistan Cricket Board holds the annual ‘Shpageeza’ tournament at the national level, a similar tournament should be held for disabled individuals to foster self-confidence among them,” he added.

 

Hikmat delivers a message to the community, stating that polio is a dangerous disease that can lead to permanent paralysis and even death in children, but it can be easily prevented through vaccination © Polio Free Afghanistan/ 2024/ Rahmatullah Marjankhil

 

Support of Friends and Family

Hekmat’s elder brother, Abdul Rashid, who supported him throughout school and university, says, “Hekmat was a hardworking child. I fully supported him because I knew that while he was physically disabled, his mental strength was stronger than most. I had seen his struggles since childhood and knew that with proper support, he would succeed in his goals.”

Reflecting on his brother’s situation, Abdul Rashid noted that many people in their society neglect their children and fail to vaccinate them, which contributes to disabilities like Hekmat’s. He highlighted that their family is a prime example, as they did not vaccinate Hekmat, resulting in his permanent disability.

“It is the responsibility of every individual in society to ensure that their children receive the polio vaccine, protecting them from disability. By doing so, we can eradicate this painful disease from our country,” he emphasized.

Hekmat’s childhood friend, Abdul Hassan, who remains close to him, stated, “Despite being a victim of polio and living with a disability, Hekmat possesses a remarkable sense of responsibility toward helping others with disabilities. He always listens to their problems and finds appropriate solutions.”

He says that Hekmat is not just a close friend; he is also a hero.

Another close friend, Hasan Khan, who has spent years by Hekmat’s side, shared that Hekmat never succumbed to his disability and has always fought for his life.

 

An Important Message to Society

Hikmat delivers a message to the community, stating that polio is a dangerous disease that can lead to permanent paralysis and even death in children, but it can be easily prevented through vaccination.

“Administering polio vaccines to children is a vital responsibility for every family and individual. I myself am a victim of polio. Had my family taken the vaccine seriously at the time, I wouldn’t be facing the hardships of disability today,” he said.

He urges people, “Let’s work together to completely eradicate polio from Afghanistan.”

 

By Rahmatullah Marjankhil, Polio Free Afghanistan