Martha Apolot navigates daily life caring for her disabled son Aaron while working in fields, confronting societal challenges in eastern Uganda.
Martha Apolot, 21, lives in Owalai, a rural hamlet in eastern Uganda, and is the sole caregiver for her eight-year-old son Aaron, who has an undiagnosed disability that prevents him from walking, talking, eating solid foods, or holding up his head.
At 13, Martha was raped by a stranger, leading to her pregnancy and Aaron's birth when she was 14, after a complicated labor that required an emergency caesarean section.
Family Rejection and Daily Challenges
Upon returning home with Aaron, Martha faced banishment to a small hut by her family, who offered no support except from her older brother Paul, who helped her with food and care in the early months.
Martha works casual agricultural jobs, such as weeding fields, carrying Aaron with her daily and laying him in the shade while she labors, earning barely enough to buy essentials like soap and sugar.
In Uganda, people with disabilities often face stigma, with families sometimes secluding or restraining them due to societal views labeling disability as a curse or burden, which Martha experiences through community rejection at markets and hospitals.
Overwhelmed by despair, Martha once considered harming Aaron but found hope through therapy sessions at Soroti hospital around age 17, where she met other parents and resolved to be a strong advocate for her son.
Now, Martha starts her day by feeding Aaron liquid meals, bathing him multiple times daily, and ensuring his care amidst ongoing challenges, demonstrating her determination to provide for him despite limited resources.
According to Al Jazeera, Martha's story highlights the broader struggles of single mothers in Uganda dealing with disability and stigma, as she continues to work and seek support for Aaron's needs.
