(Sam Nkurunziza, The New Times, Kigali, 22 April
2008) Since the age of four, Harerimana has been stuck in
a squatting position. This is the story of a disabled man
who despite life's challenges has been able to lead a
normal life. Once strong and fit, now crippled,
Harerimana is only able to move from one place to another
while squatting, his arms and legs shuffling him slowly
forward.
His bones are deformed and keep him this position. His
life is plagued by unrelenting trials, isolation and
loneliness. "You mean you want me to come and visit you?"
Harerimana asked with disbelief upon receiving my
invitation for a chat in a quiet place.
Thirty-six years ago, Vianne Harerimana was born a
happy child like all others, four years later he vividly
recalls waking up crippled in bed, unable to stand
straight.
"At the age of about four, I woke up to find everyone
gone fetching firewood and could not arouse because I was
unable to stand straight," Harerimana begins his untold
tale in a low and dry tone. From that day forth, he has
never been able to walk upright.
However, Harerimana's life today is remarkably normal.
He has a partner who is four months pregnant whom he
hopes to walk down the aisle next month. He pays monthly
rent of Frw5,000 and looks to the future with
optimism.
But Harerimana has never discovered the cause of his
disability. Having lost count of the medical centres he
has visited, none of which have shed light on his
condition, Harerimana has come to suspect that he was
bewitched.
"Doctors could not establish the disease I was
suffering from. I even went to the traditional ones but
none helped me," says the father to be.
He even went to Gahini centre of the handicapped in
2003 hoping to get some assistance but all efforts to
have his dilemma resolved seem to fall on barren ground
and for him.
Harerimana recalls vividly the incident he believes to
be the reason behind his crippled body. A neighbor had
cows and while away grazing, the attendant fell asleep
and the cows ate from people's gardens.
Being young, Harerimana had gone with this man whose
name he does not remember very well and it is then that
the trouble started. Three of the cows were hacked to
death and both eyes of another one were pierced out by
the angry garden owners.
"The attendant went on the run and his boss started
accusing me. When I asserted that I was not responsible,
he picked up a broom and then used its handle to strike
me. He began to hit harder and harder and he kept hitting
me with it. I can remember the pain and the force of the
weapon," recalls Harerimana. Harerimana was hit mostly
about the legs and also around the stomach.
"I can remember the bruises I had for several days
after this vicious attack. I can clearly recall my
friends fighting for me during this attack and made all
attempts to stop it," revealed Harerimana.
"I can not remember my immediate reaction as result of
this abuse but I can recall the incident being "swept
under the carpet" and the next thing I knew, I could not
stand on my own."
"I have always remembered this attack by my neighbor.
I can still feel the emotional pain of this abuse when I
focus on, or describe it," said Harerimana.
"I tried all medication but it didn't pay off because
there was no change at the end of the day. Regardless of
all this I remain hopeful that life continues against all
odds."
His father Reverend Bubakimana Daniel and mother
Zebriah Bampire live in the village and they can not stop
to wonder why it is only Harerimana out of the whole
family who has this rare disability.
"It was a shocking revelation most especially because
he developed the deformity later after his birth," said
Bubakimana upon learning that his son was never to walk
again.
Born in a family of six, Harerimana who hails from
Bugesera has two brothers and three sisters. Choosing not
to follow his father's footsteps and become a man of the
church, Harerimana always wished to become a businessman.
To date he has not lost his vision.
"I feel like if I got money now, I would open up a
shop in Nyabugogo," he said with hope. To look at he
looks like a broken, vulnerable man, but Harerimana is a
man of sound mental capability.
"After marrying my wife and producing children, even
if I die I will have died a happy man," said Harerimana
who started living with his better half mid last
year.
Source: www.allafrica.com
