The Challenge of Motherhood as a Disabled Woman

http://goo.gl/0eD18l

Banane is a disabled Muslim mother of an eight-year-old girl. She has endured various struggles and discrimination for choosing what millions of women choose: to be a mother.  It is ironic that if you are not disabled and don’t want to have children, you might be labeled by some as being selfish. But if you are disabled and want children, you are also deemed as selfish. The judgement that society passes on women is baffling.

“My parents were abroad at that time, but my husband was quite supportive as well as my good Muslim and non-Muslim friends. My carer used to come to the ward and help me, as well as my friends.”

Unfortunately, the same did not apply to the medical professionals. As Banane goes on to explain, “Unfortunately most nurses’ attitudes at [the] hospital were unpleasant, at least this is the feeling I got. They were not happy [after giving birth] that I was carrying my daughter – rested on pillows – securely on my lap, as they said it is against health and safety [regulations]. On various occasions, the nurses wanted to detach my daughter to put her in her cot. Even when she was awake.”