“A while back, I was married and had two families. We were happy, but the families of my wives made it a mission to destroy my marriages because of my disability. For a while, I was alone and resentful since both of my marriages broke down. I then decided to change my tactics. There was this girl that I was talking for a while, we fell in love and decided to get married. Instead of telling her family who will most likely refuse or attack me because of my disability, we decided to elope for love. After that, I would pay quickly pay the bride price to the family so that her family would allow it. Now, we are both happily married and have a son together. Disabled people in this city have it quite difficult, especially concerning marriage, because of the stigma attached. The men who are disabled have it much easier compared to the women that are disabled. One option is for those who are disabled to marry each other but rearing children would be difficult for both of them as they require continuous care, education, and at the same time steady income.”
(Hargeisa)
“Waxa jirtay in aan guursaday laba dumar ah. Balse, nasiibdarro waa laygula dagaalamay, oo reerihii ay ka dhasheen ayaa weerar igu soo qaaday, oo labadii dumar ahaaba iga furey. Markii aan muddo cidla’ ahaa, reerkiinna la iga baabi’iyey, ayaa aan beddelay qorshihii soo aqalgelinta gabadha iyo guurkaba. Gabadh ayaa aan la sheekaystay, in muddo ahna markii aan wada sheekaysanaynay, ayaa aanu isla meel dhignay in aanu is guursanno. Dhibaato iyo in lay diido gabadha aan is jeclayn, aniga oo ka baqaya, ayaa aan la baxsaday oo magaalo kale ayaan geeyey gabadhii, si aanay weerar iigu soo qaadin reerkii gabadha dhalay, oo aanay u odhan: ‘ka soo reeba gabadha ninka curyaanka ah.’ Markiiba deg deg ayaa aan u bixiyey yaradkii iyo gabaatigiiba, gabadhiina waa lay meheriyey; sidaas baannan kula aqal galay. Hadda waxay ii dhashay wiil yar. Runtii, dhanka guurka waxa naga haysata dhibaato xooggan haddii aannu nahay dadka naafada ah. Raggu inta badan way guursadaan se kuwa ugu darani waa dumarka. Waannu awoodnaa in aannu is guursanno naafo ahaan, balse dhibta jirtaa waxay tahay, meeshii ubad ayaa imanaya oo waxa loo baahan yahay cid haysa, waxbarta, islamarkaana bariiskooda u soo raadisa.”
(Hargaysa)
