By Aimé Césaire Mpangaje, District 2150 deputy polio coordinator, member Rotary Club of Fleurus-Aéropole, Belgium
I have had a long journey with polio. My story is one of resilience in the face of this devastating disease. It is why I share this message with those I meet: Do not forget them, do not forget us.
I contracted polio when I was three-and-a-half years old. I had dreams of what I wanted to be as an adult like anyone else. I had already begun playing football with other children my age. I dreamed of becoming a great football player like Maradona, a renowned athlete like Carl Lewis, or an elegant and romantic man like Richard Gere – my idol during my teen years.
However, polio quickly destroyed these dreams. It not only shattered my hopes, but also the way my loved ones looked at me, the consideration of those around me, and, more seriously, my sense of self-love. Polio can rob you of school, professional life, and sometimes even life itself. It can send you begging on the streets because your family has lost the motivation to support you. Polio doesn’t tell you about the physical and emotional pains you will face daily. It can barricade you in the camp of the weak, the useless, the undesirable, and sometimes the repulsive. This virus has an extraordinary ability to ruin someone’s life. However, polio is not always a death sentence.
Not a death sentence
Despite all the obstacles before me, I chose to not let polio define who I would be. It was difficult, but employing resilience, I pursued my studies successfully. I eventually fell in love with a wonderful woman who became my wife and the mother of my children, instilling in me the confidence I had previously lacked. Through being resilient, I was able to raise my children, which I consider my greatest accomplishment.
Resilience enabled me to work in important positions at multinational firms on two continents. I am driven to get up in the morning and compete with others for even more important roles because I believe my story is only half-written. Today, I have achieved much, and it is all because of my resilience in the face of polio.
However, none of this would have been possible without the courage of my mother, who enrolled me in school despite those who questioned that decision, and the unwavering support of my brother, who carried me on his back for five kilometers to and from school. I am also infinitely grateful to my friends, who always believed in me and my potential.
Getting up every morning
Resilience is getting up every morning, taking your cane or crutches, putting on your orthopedic device, and walking slowly but surely. It is counting on the support of friends and family to move forward after each fall. By choosing to get up every day, I contribute to the fight against polio.
I invite you to join us in our drive to eradicate this virus, not only by contributing to immunization campaigns that vaccinate children but also by supporting polio survivors. It will only be a total victory if we continue to support survivors in their daily challenges. In doing so, we will contribute to the happiness of humanity.
Learn more about Rotary’s efforts to eradicate polio on endpolio.org
https://blog.rotary.org/2024/08/06/resilience-in-the-face-of-polio/