Couple battling cerebral palsy defy odds to turn disability into fortune

As they type on their computer keyboard, print photocopies, or brand stickers no one will notice their right hands have paralysis.

Dorcas Njambi and her husband David Mungai are a couple battling cerebral palsy and have defied the odds, and turned their disability into a lucrative graphic design business located in Lanet, Nakuru county.

The couple, who have been together for three years, has faced numerous challenges, including discrimination, victimisation and theft.

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Njambi,30, hails from Molo, told The Standard that she was born with hemiplegia, a unilateral cerebral palsy causing paralysis on her right hand.

While growing up, she says, it was difficult as she joined school just like any other child, but was excluded when tasks were assigned at home.

“I used to view myself as normal but was discriminated against. I wasn’t allowed to do some tasks at home. I came to understand and accept myself when I was an adult that I was living with disability,” she says.

She was not accorded enough opportunities but kept fighting to be treated with dignity just like any other child by not allowing obstacles to hinder her destiny.

Her mother, she says, died when she was young and would find herself in the hands of guardians. At Standard Eight, she was taken for therapy. “I was told that my condition was permanent, then advised to do exercises, which I have been doing. I believe that my disability doesn’t hinder me from doing anything,” she says.

In 2019, Njambi left Molo and went to Thika in search of greener pastures without any contact, she met good samaritans who supported her.

She landed security jobs without qualifications thanks to her courage and zeal before she met Mungai.

“I lost my identification card while on duty. I went to replace it at a Huduma Centre where I saw someone with the same walking style and physical appearance as mine. I approached him and asked for his number after telling him that we were twins,” she says with a smile on her face.

The couple started to communicate their daily challenges, which led to their union.

“We have faced challenges such as discrimination and harassment from county law enforcers,” she says.

Mungai’s childhood was full of fun until he reached 12 when his world came crashing down.

“I had a normal life just like any other child; I loved football, but one afternoon when I was playing, I started to stagger, and I enjoyed it even my brothers made fun of it,” he says.

He noticed that his condition was serious after he fell and a neighbour took him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with malaria.

“My right leg was not strong, I couldn’t walk. I had paralysis on my right side, my parents took me to Nakuru Provincial Hospital where I was admitted for two years, I was later discharged and told to undergo therapy,” he added.

Back home, he was forced to start school afresh to learn to write using his right hand.

His life was turned upside down as everyone he schooled with continued with their lives but never gave up on his dream of becoming a footballer and artist. He attended special schools where he completed his studies then launched his design career.

“I had to adapt to my new life and never allowed the condition to determine my fate. I kept pushing, got my diploma, and passed well. I bought a computer and started a branding and graphic design outfit,” he added.

‘‘Every customer who comes to our shop, I make sure they leave with a smile. My wife is active on social media marketing our work.’’