Heartbreaking and inspiring
The strength of this mother is incredible. How can we better support families fighting stigma and lack of resources in places like Guinea?
Autism remains widely misunderstood in parts of Africa. A mother in Guinea fights for her child
FRIA, Guinea: Kazaliou Balde’s parents started worrying about him when as a small child he avoided eye contact and had difficulty communicating. First, the family in the West African nation of Guinea turned to a traditional healer who suggested protective amulets. Then, as the boy dragged himself along the ground instead of walking, they took him to a hospital in the capital, Conakry, where he was diagnosed with autism — something the family had never heard of before. Neither had their neighbors. Some of them made rude comments about the child.