Strong relationships, friendship and companionship, are fundamental, but a supportive community’s negative judgment toward a PWD and partner can be disheartening and must be brought to light.
One SOS participant shared their story:
My girlfriend then was the star of their village. I married her quite easily but still with so many difficulties. The first day we arrived at their parents home for an introduction the whole village flocked to the compound. They were not invited by anyone. Can you guess what was amiss? Some were peeping at the corners of the fences and doing all manner of simple naive acts.
My girlfriend held my hand and whispered to me, "My love, they've come to see you!" This was the first time that I remembered that I was disabled, thanks to her. However this gave me more confidence in our relationship and we married very quickly.
Comment 1: Wah. Imagine these stories are just so similar to mine. I had a similar experience during my courtship.
Comment 2: Although it is rarely, if ever, expressed to me, I am aware that throughout my 29 years of marriage, and before, people have expressed similar feelings of disbelief at our partnership. However, the more it happens the more other people will get used to it.
Comment 3: Sure, I can also attest to this