Case Studies

"Without assistance from Sense International, our children would have remained hidden, because nobody understood their needs." Agnes, the mother of a deafblind child

Kevin's story

Kevin is nine years old and comes from a rural area outside Limuru in Kenya. He was born deaf and became blind due to glaucoma in infancy. During his early years, he was unable to communicate and had very little mobility.

Kevin's family felt isolated. The stigma of having a disabled son meant that the community and even some of the extended family shunned them and refused to offer any support. Kevin's mother had to give up work and it was extremely hard for the family to cope.

When Kevin was six, he was identified as deafblind and his mother was put in touch with Sense International's Parent's Association of Kenya. We helped to send Kevin to the local school where he is supported by a specially-trained teacher.

Kevin can now walk independently and has learned how to communicate with his family. He has even made friends at school. He loves playing with his toy car. His mother uses it to show Kevin how a real car works, how the steering wheel controls the car's direction and how the wheels turn around, propelling the car forward. He now dreams of a time when he might be able to own his own car.