07/08/2025
I Wish We Met Earlier
"Hallo Mama Juma…"
That was all I managed to say before immediately hanging up and calling her back—this time from a clearer line. The moment she picked up, she burst out with a voice full of emotion, “I wish I met you earlier.”
Then came a loud, deep, unforgettable laugh—one that triggered me to laugh too, almost uncontrollably. Anyone overhearing us might have thought we were in a comedy club, not knowing the pain and weight behind those words.
That sentence—“I wish I met you earlier”—has now become an anthem between us. Every time we talk, she repeats it with heartfelt sincerity.
Mama Juma’s story is one that many will find hard to believe, yet sadly, it's a lived reality for countless mothers of children with epilepsy. Before we met, she had endured years of heartbreak, rejection, and desperate searching for answers. Juma, her beloved son, had frequent seizures, and with each episode, society pushed them further into isolation.
They visited traditional healers, used bitter herbs, and even resorted to sleeping in cemeteries—hoping for any sign of healing. Neighbours whispered, relatives withdrew, and even some health workers offered little hope. Some accused her of bringing a curse to the family. All she wanted was for her son to be well.
When we finally met, I reassured her: “You are not alone. Epilepsy is a medical condition, not a curse. And Juma deserves love, treatment, and dignity—just like any other child.”
That moment marked the beginning of her healing—not just physically for Juma, but emotionally for her as a mother. She began to attend clinics regularly and slowly started replacing fear with knowledge, shame with pride.
As I reflect on our conversations, I find myself wondering: Do such myths and misconceptions still exist in developed countries? Do people still blame witchcraft or curses for epilepsy or other neurological disorders? If you're reading this and have experience from abroad—please share. We want to learn from
