Limbless but ambitious

By Saudha Nakandha

She may not be able to take part in a race like her peers but she can at least manage to move with the help of a crutch thanks to the artificial limbs. 

Looking at Aidah Katushabe, 20, from a distance as she mingles with people, you see a young lady with no body defect.

She was born crippled yet is living testimony of the saying that 'disability is not inability'

"It was a total mess for me; my hands were my legs. My clothes and everything about me were always dirty when I was growing up," recalls Katushabe.

Aidah Katushabe (left) during an interview with Alexandra Long, the Youth Project Officer Straight Talk Foundation recently. Photo/Saudha Nakandha

She tried to handle the pain that came with her crawling but failed on overcoming mockery from fellow children.

"I was always isolated and had no friends due to my condition.  I grew up with different challenges that made me think I was of no value to the community and those around me," she says.

Situation at home not any different

Katushabe could not confide in any one about her problems, not even at home, because she grew up with a cruel stepmother.

"At age 3, I stayed with my stepmother; dad was always away. She seemed not concerned about what I was going through.

It was worse when they called me bad names. I realized I could not find comfort both home and at school," Katushabe explains.

Coping with puberty

"It was worse during my menstruation periods. I could not afford pads and resorted to using old clothes but was uncomfortable knowing they would fall off while I was crawling. I would miss school during periods," she narrates.

However nine years ago Katushabe got a 'new lease of life' when she received artificial limbs, a reason she is now mobile like any other person.

"For me it was a dream come true in 2006 when sponsors from Northern Ireland gave me artificial limbs"

About her

Katushabe is a senior six vacist who volunteers with Fields of life, a charity that empowers girls to stay in school. She is the first born of eight children.

She is a sports enthusiast who has attended different sports training programs such as the Paralympics Committee, a Youth leadership camp organized by United Nations office on sports for Development and Peace in Henneff, Germany, in 2012.

She also attended a winter sports training organized by Dream Program in Pyeongchang, South Korea, where she was a guest speaker.

She plays Para badminton.

She attended Primary Children's Corner, Sharmah and Ndejje Senior Secondary Schools.