His name is Hikram Obaa.
Obaa is living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a condition that affects his strength and mobility. His mother has been doing everything she can to care for him but as his needs have increased, caring for him alone has become increasingly difficult.
He does not have a wheelchair.
He also struggles to eat normal food and currently depends on Rebound RUTF for his nutrition.
For many families, this is not simply about having a child with a disability. It is about the cost of care, mobility, nutrition, medical support, transport and the everyday things that other families may take for granted.
And this is where the conversation about disability inclusion must go deeper.
A child with a disability may need more than education. They may need assistive devices that allow them to move around safely. They may need appropriate nutrition, healthcare, rehabilitation and people who understand their needs. Their families may also need support because caring for a child with complex needs can place enormous emotional and financial pressure on a household.
In communities where resources are already limited, these challenges can become even harder.
A wheelchair can mean the difference between being carried everywhere and having some independence.
Appropriate nutrition can mean the difference between simply getting through the day and having the strength to participate in it. Support for a parent can mean the difference between struggling alone and knowing that someone else is standing beside them.
This is why disability inclusion cannot only be about words.
It has to be about access, dignity, opportunity and practical support.
At Child Care Foundation, we work with vulnerable children and families because we believe that support should reach people according to their needs. Children with disabilities should not be forgotten because their needs are more complex. Their families should not have to face everything alone.
Obaa's situation is one example but there are many other children and families facing similar challenges.
Some are waiting for assistive devices.
Some need access to education.
Some need healthcare and rehabilitation.
Some need proper nutrition.
Some need protection.
And some simply need a family or organization willing to stand with them.
Our resources are limited, but the need around us is much greater.
That is why partnerships, child sponsorship, individual support and organizations willing to invest in disability inclusion matter so much. When people come together, practical support becomes possible and families begin to see possibilities where there were once only difficulties.
We are not asking people to feel sorry for children with disabilities. We are asking society to see their needs, protect their dignity and make sure they are included.
Because disability should never be a reason for a child to be left behind.
If you would like to support our work with vulnerable children and families in Uganda, you can learn more about what we are doing. Join us
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