DISABLED AND THRIVING
Ambitious student not letting cerebral palsy derail him Having a wife and children will complete my life - Kenosi
Like many young adults, 31-yearold Keotshepile Kenosi has high ambitions. He wants to have his own family, run his own business and be financially independent. “My dream is simple. I would like to have a beautiful wife, a couple of children and to work hard and provide for them,” he told The Midweek Sun in an interview.
For Kenosi, who was officially diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) when he was 18 years old, achieving these humble ambitions would complete life. Caused by injury or abnormal development in the immature brain, usually before birth, cerebral palsy can lead to cognitive and physical difficulties of varying degrees. It is the most commonly diagnosed disability in children. “After discovering that I am part of the CP community, I learned that CP does not look the same on every diagnosed person. For me it affects the movement of my legs and my muscles are tight. “Since I grew up unaware of my CP diagnosis, my younger self was only conscious of the fact that my stiff muscles made it difficult for me to walk straight and for long distances, to wear certain shoes, and to participate in vigorous activities.” School was also a challenge for him. Because he is slower, he wasn’t always able to finish exams on time. “For you it would take an hour or two to write a one page paper, it takes me about five. And I almost always had to rely on copying notes from other students. I went to mainstream schools and initially other children would bully me because I was different but I also had good friends who supported me.” Kenosi has long maintained a positive outlook and he’s never let his disability stop him from chasing his dreams. The Serowe native is currently pursuing Bachelor of Business (Hons) Entrepreneurship at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. He hopes to start a business when he completes his studies. “Disability is part of my life, not my whole life,” he said, adding that being independent is more important to him. “I don’t like pity or to be pitied and so I learnt to love and accept myself as well as make the most of what I have been given by God. The Bible says I can do all things through Him and I truly believe that. “I have become so much more comfortable in my own skin and strongly believe my disability has had a positive influence in my life. I have learnt to do almost everything for myself including own laundry and cooking. I see no need to hide any aspect of who I am and neither should anyone living with or raising a child with any kid of disability.”
To parents raising children with disabilities, Kenosi says: “Always see your child as a person first, regardless of the degree of his or her disability. Children need to be allowed to grow and be independent. And, as much as possible, allow your children to make their own decisions as they age. Support them and give them your wisdom, but let them discover what they can achieve. And to young people living with disabilities, don’t compare yourself to others. Be who you are. When you do that, you will make an amazing impact on the world.”