The Value of the Polio Vaccine and the Painful Experience of a Disabled Girl’s Mother
Raqiba Hamidi
Badakhshan, Afghanistan – A poor family living in a mud-walled, wooden-roofed house is facing countless challenges and difficulties in the second district of Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan.
A poor family living in a mud-walled, wooden-roofed house in the second district of Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan, faces countless challenges and difficulties.
Although this family lives in poverty and deprivation, their greatest challenge is that their ten-year-old daughter, Zainab, has been afflicted with polio. This disease has changed her life forever, and now she faces disability.
Although this family lives in poverty and deprivation, their greatest challenge is that their ten-year-old daughter, Zainab, has contracted the polio virus. This disease has changed her life forever, and now she faces disability.
Zainab is the ninth child of 40-year-old Kamila and 54-year-old Bashir. She was born with many hopes and joys, but when the vaccinators came to their village, her family was not at home. This absence led to Zainab missing the polio vaccine.
Zainab’s mother says with regret, ‘No one expected that our absence would bring such a tremendous change in our daughter’s life.
Zainab’s mother says with regret, “No one expected our absence to bring such a tremendous change in our daughter’s life.”
She added, “Zainab was one year old when she developed a high fever. I assumed it was a regular cold, but the fever didn’t subside, and her health worsened day by day. A few days later, she began experiencing nausea and diarrhea. In a panic, I took her to the Red Cross hospital. After the initial examinations, the doctors told me that Zainab had contracted polio and that this disease has no cure. After that, I lost hope and stopped seeking further treatment for Zainab.”
Now at ten years old, Zainab is immobile in every part of her body. Her mother, who cares for her, says with tear-filled eyes, “If my daughter hadn’t been paralyzed, she would be in the fifth grade now. Her disability constantly torments me and pains my heart.”
Now at ten years old, Zainab is immobile in every part of her body. Her mother, who cares for her, says with tear-filled eyes, “If my daughter hadn’t been paralyzed, she would be in the fifth grade now. Her disability constantly torments me and pains my heart” © Polio free Afghanistan/ 2024/ Raqiba Hamidi
Kamila, who takes care of Zainab every day, says with sadness, “Every time I look at Zainab, my heart breaks, but as a mother, there is nothing I can do other than taking care of her.”
Despite all her hardships and challenges, she has a clear message for other mothers: take vaccines seriously, especially the polio vaccine, and ensure your children are vaccinated, so they do not suffer the same fate as Zainab.
“If we had vaccinated Zainab that day, perhaps she would have been healthy today. This bitter experience should be considered a serious lesson for every family. Vaccination is not an individual responsibility it is a societal duty that can save the lives of many people in the community,” she adds.
Zainab has nine siblings, each of whom plays a role in her care and service in one way or another.
Zainab’s older sister, 25-year-old Fauzia, says, “When our mother is not around, I take care of Zainab. Every time I look at her, I feel as though she wants to stand up, but she can’t. Seeing my sister in this condition is very heartbreaking for me.”
“We all love Zainab and do everything within our power for her, but we cannot change her past. A simple vaccine could have prevented her life-long paralysis,” Fauzia added.
The story of Zainab and her family is not just about an illness; it is a living example of the importance of vaccination and the unfortunate consequences of not getting vaccinated.
Despite all her hardships and challenges, she has a clear message for other mothers: take vaccines seriously, especially the polio vaccine, and ensure your children are vaccinated, so they do not suffer the same fate as Zainab © Polio free Afghanistan/ 2024/ Raqiba Hamidi
Beyond the challenges posed by Zainab’s illness, the family faces other difficulties. Poverty, high treatment costs for Zainab, and poor economic conditions have forced Zainab’s father, Bashir, to work extensively, leaving him with very little time for rest and relaxation.
Zainab and her family were unaware that she would face such a disease and disability.
A social activist in Badakhshan, Uranus Mohammadi, says, “Polio still poses a significant threat to Afghan children, but fortunately, this disease is preventable.”
“Public awareness about the importance of vaccination needs to be increased so that parents understand that a simple vaccine can protect their children’s future,” he adds.
Ten years have passed since Zainab contracted polio, but her family still strives to provide a good life. Although Zainab cannot attend school or play like other children, she can be considered a symbol of strength, patience, and experience for others. Despite all their difficulties and challenges, Zainab’s family continues to work hard to give her a better life.
The story of Zainab’s life shows us that a simple act of negligence can permanently change the lives of children and families, leading to numerous challenges.
For this reason, the polio vaccine is a vital necessity, as it not only prevents permanent disability but also creates the foundation for providing a better life to community members.
This painful situation should draw the attention of the community, especially parents and responsible individuals, to ensure that no child is deprived of this important opportunity. Every member of the community should fulfill their moral and religious responsibility in this regard.
