SDA church condemns practice of hiding children with disabilities
By Viola Kosome, June 12, 2026The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church has strongly condemned the practice of hiding children living with disabilities, saying stigma and misconceptions continue to deny many of them opportunities to access support and live dignified lives.
Speaking during the distribution of wheelchairs to persons with disabilities in Kisumu on June 11, 2026, West Kenya Union Conference President Pastor Samuel Misiani urged parents and guardians to bring children with disabilities into the open and seek available assistance instead of isolating them from society.
“Do not hide people who are suffering. You are not responsible for the condition of your child. Many parents hide these children because of stigma and fear of being judged. We want society to understand that these children are not a curse and should not be treated differently,” he said.
His remarks came as dozens of families received mobility aids supporting persons with disabilities.
Societal beliefs
Misiani acknowledged that some religious teachings and societal beliefs have contributed to discrimination against persons with disabilities by portraying them as victims of curses, sins, or demonic forces.
“The church is made up of different people, and sometimes wrong messages are amplified. If somebody is born blind or with a disability, there should be no stigma. They were born that way,” he said.
He added that medicine should deal with medical conditions, while prayer remains important for everyone, and people must stop stigmatising people for circumstances beyond their control.
Mercy Okeyo, whose teenage son lives with cerebral palsy, said receiving a wheelchair marked a turning point after years of struggling to move him from place to place.
“My son cannot support himself, and as he grows older, carrying him has become very difficult. Before this wheelchair, he spent most of his time bedridden or seated in one place. This support has changed our lives,” she said.
Okeyo also challenged parents who keep children with disabilities hidden from the public because of shame or fear of discrimination.
“Hiding these children is the worst thing parents can do. They are children like any other and deserve to feel included. When you hide them, you only increase the stigma. My son has been a blessing to me, and I encourage other parents to bring their children out and seek support,” she said.
The church leader said society must move away from blaming parents for disabilities and instead focus on supporting affected families.
“I have met parents who fear being asked what they did wrong to have a child with a disability. That is the wrong attitude. These children deserve love, care, and acceptance. If families keep them hidden, they may miss opportunities for assistance and a better quality of life,” Misiani said.
He called on the government, faith-based organisations and communities to work together to improve access to mobility aids and other support services for persons with disabilities.
Misiani said the Adventist Church’s disability ministry promotes inclusion and seeks to challenge stereotypes that continue to marginalise people living with disabilities.
“There is no need for stigma at all,” he said. “Every person deserves dignity, support, and an opportunity to participate fully in society,” he noted.