Eunice has had Epilepsy for over 27 years and is happy to share her story of struggle through rejection, and triumph having found a husband who accepted and supported her, and getting onboarded in an intervention by Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya in Kajiado County, that helped challenge myths and misconceptions around mental health and epilepsy, improved access to information and care, and addressed socio-economic challenges that enabled Eunice be able to venture into self-employment and earn a sustainable livelihood.
I used to think that I would not live to celebrate my 30th birthday because of the suffering I went through. This was not only because of the injuries I sustained due to hitting the ground and other items on my path as I fell, because of my seizures, but also the rejection I faced from my family earlier on in life.
Today however, my life has greatly transformed. When people look at me and I tell them that I have epilepsy, they find it very hard to believe. How can an epileptic person look like me?
I had a tough journey
I have been epileptic for the past 27 years. Due to my condition, I was unable to complete my education as I was forced to drop out of school.
I got pregnant when I was just 17 years of age and soon after delivering my child, I was chased away from home by my parents. They basically told me that I had added a problem on top of another problem. It wasn’t enough for me that epilepsy was a problem, I went ahead and added a child.
My husband helped me overcome my trauma
I carried the trauma of being rejected by my parents all through my life and this made me reject several advances from my suitor, who thank God for his patience, was to later become my husband. In my mind, I kept asking myself, if my own family rejected me, why would this man stand by me?
He however assured me that he had good intentions. He loved me as I was, and desired to be by my side and take care of me. He understood that I was ill and therefore did not want me to go through my illness alone. It is then that I accepted his proposal and we got married. We were later to be blessed with two children together.
Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya transformed my life
I was onboarded into the program by Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya in 2019. I received word from fellow community members that there was an organization looking to assist people with mental health conditions and epilepsy and, signed up. Through the program, I was taught a lot about mental health and epilepsy. My long-held misconception that my epilepsy was the result of a curse, was debunked as I learnt that with proper treatment and care, I would be able to live a productive life free of seizures that had till then, really affected my quality of life.
In addition to learning about how to manage my condition, I received various trainings on financial management and entrepreneurship. The skill that stood out most, which I grasped, was how to tie-dye fabric. From this simple skill, I was able to get very many customers who wanted custom designs for parties, weddings and so on. From the income I got from this small venture, I was able to invest in other income generating ventures such as poultry farming as well as a custom furniture shop which I currently run.
My community looks up to me
Today many people in my community look up to me. They see how much my life has transformed for the better and they desire the same for themselves or those with illnesses under their care.
Many women raising children with various illnesses such as epilepsy and cerebral palsy often come to me for guidance on how they can care for their children to enable them to live productive lives. Sometimes it gets overwhelming, but I help where I can by mostly referring them to health facilities where they can get help. I go to the extent of taking them myself to the health centre and ensuring I have left them in the hands of a clinician.
I am grateful that I have been able to overcome my hardships and I am thankful to Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya for making me a part of their program. I committed to doing my level best to ensure that my community is fully aware that mental health conditions are manageable and just as I do on a daily basis, one can live and work productively as long as they are getting the necessary care.
You can also watch Eunice’s story on our YouTube Channel. Click here:
