Hidden No More: Abdi’s Journey to Walk and Belong

Imagine you were born with a disability you never asked for, a condition that became a barrier to everything you should experience as a child. You're excluded from playing with friends, exploring the world, sometimes, even from your own mother, fearing the prejudiced eyes of many. Spend a day, an hour in this child's silence, in this child's isolation. What thoughts would echo in your mind? What feelings would consume your heart?  

Eight-year-old Abdi was born with a walking disability in a community that views it as a divine curse. Dinkinesh, his mother, swayed by this belief, hid him away, robbing him of his childhood. "I was confined to our yard," Abdi recounts sadly. "They hid me whenever guests came. I begged my mother for answers, but she offered none."  

Though Abdi's mother longed for him to play with other children, the fear of community judgment forced her to confine him to their home. "Culturally, disability is seen as a curse," she explains. "People associate it with divine punishment, and families with disabled members are often ostracised. I hid him to protect our family from being treated as outcasts."  

As a child, Abdi longed to play with the other children. More than anything, he yearned to join the other children in their games, to experience the joy of running and playing alongside them. But not only was he unable to join them, he wasn't even allowed to watch them from close by. "Whenever I asked to play, my mother always said no," Abdi recalls sadly. “She said the children would tease me. Instead, I watched through a hole in our gate."  

However, the intervention of World Vision Ethiopia’s Gechi Area Programme marked a turning point in Abdi's life. Through awareness campaigns and training for community members on disability, including teachers, the perception of disability slowly began to shift. Wubalem, a teacher, was dedicated to finding children in need. And this led her to Abdi, and played a crucial role in convincing Dinkinesh to seek help for her son instead of hiding him from the sight of people for fear of stigma.  

Dinkinesh welcomed Abdi into the world and courageously decided to seek treatment for him. Through the World Vision sponsorship programme, Abdi was admitted to a rehabilitation centre in Addis Ababa, 500 kilometres from home, where he began a year-long medical journey.  

Abdi's path to recovery was fraught with challenges, pain, and moments of despair. However, fueled by unwavering determination and the support of those around him, he accomplished what once seemed impossible; he learned to walk. “The day I walked on my own, I felt like I was reborn,” he recalls, his excitement evident as he reflects on that transformative moment.  

Unable to be with Abdi during his treatment, Dinkinesh waited anxiously for news. When the call finally came, confirming that he could walk, she was overcome with disbelief and joy. "I could scarcely believe my ears," she remembers, her voice filled with emotion. "They told me he was coming home the next day! I spent a sleepless night, barely able to contain my excitement. It felt like a miracle, something I couldn't truly accept until I saw it with my own eyes."  

When the World Vision vehicle arrived in the village, the entire community gathered, eager to witness the miracle. As Abdi stepped out of the car, walking confidently on his own two feet, his mother collapsed in tears. She could hardly recognise the strong boy who stood before her. “I was shocked when I saw him jump out of the car,” she said, overwhelmed with emotion. “I thought I was dreaming! But it was real—my son was walking!”  

The village erupted in celebration. Neighbours who once pitied Abdi now rejoiced at his transformation. People from surrounding villages came to see the boy who had once crawled but now walked.  

Abdi was finally able to do what he had always dreamed of—attend school. He was immediately enrolled and quickly adapted to his new environment. Now a Grade Two student, he dreams of becoming an engineer. “I am very happy,” Abdi said. “Now I can run, play, and do everything my friends do. I even kick the ball harder than them!”  

Wubalem, who had first found Abdi, was filled with joy. “Abdi is a symbol of strength in our school,” she said. “Many people didn’t believe us when we told them he couldn’t walk before. Seeing him now, I always thank God for this miracle. And I want to thank World Vision for making this possible.”  

The miracle of Abdi is a testament to the power of intervention, community awareness, and, above all, hope. His journey from crawling in the dirt to running with joy is an inspiration to many, proving that with the right support, every child, regardless of their challenges, can thrive.  

By Workineh Muleta, Communications Coordinator, World Vision Ethiopia