Dear Body,

Patricia: I’ve known you as long as I can remember, over the years, as you have grown in different ways.

Stella: I love you so much that I sometimes wonder how God created you so beautifully.

Patricia: You have listened to me, as much as I do to you, to your needs and wants and everything in between. From childhood till today you have been my closest friend.

Stella: Your beauty amazes me, your legs that have polio still shine as bright as the stars. Perhaps that is why my parents named me Stella, I guess they knew that at some point you – my body will be a shining star.

Patricia: Not everyone understands you and me, it’s clear with the way that society describes us, in the way people constantly treat me as a second-class person. You have seen how to others; my disability is a reason for them to sexually abuse me. They think that as a woman who is wounded in some ways, I can’t do anything great, or I can’t impact those around me. Yet when I look in the mirror you are who you truly are, beautiful and courageous.

Stella: This body was able to bring two beautiful girls into this world. I can imagine that at some point you have wanted to call it quits due to stigma and discrimination, but I salute you – my body, for you have always kept going. See now, these beauties you carried and brought to life are now shining examples of what you can do. They are stars, just as you are. You have taken care of them throughout the years, and I owe you so much. I owe you the love and care you have given me even though it has been hard for you.

Patricia: I respond to people’s reactions bravely and show them that having disabilities is not as limiting as they think. It doesn’t mean that I am incapable of doing what I want, I wish they could recognize my possibilities.

Stella: It hurts. For both of us to have to ignore people’s stares and whispers. We have to keep walking. We have to keep moving with our hands in crutches, one foot in front of the other. We have to keep moving in this world, my dear body. Nothing is as important as accepting who you are.

Patricia: Do you know that your brain is my favourite thing about you? If you could talk or write back, I would start a conversation with you; and in the conversation, I would tell you that like any other human you are flowered. So, I would ask you not to be too emotional. I would plead with you to hold your anger and to be more patient with those who wronged you. I would urge you to learn to let it go.

Stella: It took time but I’m grateful that I have embraced you and you have embraced me. Together, we have beaten all the odds of this life. We have to thank God because of His grace and why you are here. I am grateful that you show the world that you can do anything as long as you are given a level ground and a conducive environment. Through perseverance and prayer, this body was nominated to be in the UN Women Civil Society Advisory Group. This body is in the Malawi Health Equity Network Board of Directors. Just a few weeks ago, this body was nominated to be on a board of directors for an advocacy organization. This body founded and runs a disability rights organization that advocates for women and girls with disabilities.

Patricia: I will always try to show people that you are not owned by anyone, so nobody should decide for you.

Stella: When I was seven, I was diagnosed with polio and from that moment it seemed as though my body had broken. But this body that has been broken has also been rebuilt. It has built a family; it has brought life into this world. This body has travelled so far and wide. This body has pushed me. This body has made me, just as much as I have made it. This body has given me a voice and most of all, this body has given me the strength to give others a voice too.

Patricia: Thank you for your love and care. Through everything, you are amazing.

Stella: Dear body, I am indebted to you as you have shown me and everyone around me that disability is not inability and for that I am forever grateful.

Lots of love,

Stella

With love,

Patricia