MISS KENYA
My name is Esther Nyakiuru Njuguna . I was born on October 13 , 1996 , in Embakasi , a town on the outskirts of Nairobi .
I am the oldest child in a family of four . My brother and I live with muscular dystrophy and use a wheelchair for mobility . We continue to live under our parents ’ care because of this .
I had a normal childhood and attended Lily Academy , kindergarten through primary school . At 6 , I began experiencing movement challenges and frequently fell when walking . This caused me to avoid playing games that involved running . I also found I needed to hold onto another person for support when walking . These difficulties became a concern for my teacher and parents , and I went to the hospital for a check-up .
At first , I was misdiagnosed with kwashiorkor and given medication and supplements to help boost my muscle development . My movements gradually began to change ; I started to stand and walk on my toes . To help correct this , my physiotherapist recommended I wear a splint at night during sleep . After a couple of months , things began to change , but not for the better . At this time , I also began to experience convulsions when tired . It was recommended I see a cardiologist for a heart check-up . Fortunately , they confirmed my heart was healthy .
When I was 7 , hospital stays had become a regular occurrence until one day , a pediatrician recommended we see a specialist in muscle development . Finally , doctors knew what was wrong . I was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy .
At the time , little was known about disabilities . Receiving financial support , assistive devices , or medication was challenging and the level of discrimination was high . Now , there are non-government humanitarian organizations and the national government to help create awareness of the rights and abilities of persons with disabilities .
Despite my health issues , I continued my education at Lily Academy . The teachers were accommodating , supportive and caring . In the 8th grade , I transferred to Joytown Primary School , a disability-friendly academy . While there , I graduated and received the Kenya Certificate of Primary Examination , completed my primary school and joined Joytown Secondary School for the physically handicapped .
In 2015 , my mobility issues forced me to begin using a wheelchair . Through the help of a Christian missions institution known as Bethany Kids , I received my first wheelchair . It was a GEN _ 3 Model from the humanitarian organization for persons with disabilities known as Free Wheelchair Mission .
I grew up watching my mother machine embroider , and with excitement , I began to learn this skill as well . Unfortunately , due to my mobility issues , things turned sour . One day , as I worked to pedal the wheel , the machine fell on me , resulting in a fractured leg . This experience left me hesitant to continue learning , and I avoided anything to do with this craft . However , in my adult years , my interest once again peaked . This time I choose a skill more respectful of my mobility issues but still in line with my interests . I ventured into the world of tapestry and later turned my love and talent for this skill into a business .
In November 2018 , I participated in a beauty pageant for persons with disabilities . Surprisingly , though it was my first experience , I was crowned Miss Wheelchair Kenya 2018 / 2019 . At first , it was a challenge ; however , through each achievement , I gained courage in being in the spotlight , facing and speaking to the crowd , and answering questions during media interviews . These events opened doors to better opportunities , such as dining with our Country ’ s prominent leaders and attending national events like the 58th Madaraka Day . In addition , I took part as a curtain raiser during regular modeling competitions , those not for persons with disabilities , as it helped to create awareness for inclusivity .
I discovered a passion for being a counselor in high school , and in 2019 pursued further education and studied for a Counselling Psychology Certificate level at Amani Counseling College and Training Institute . This opened new opportunities to understand my personal and societal challenges . From this , I gained more understanding of how
64 Miss Wheelchair World USA