Painful tales of raising special needs children

Philanthropist Pankaj Shah (right) and Sister Lilian Njuguna present foodstuff to Lucy Njeri at St Augustine Catholic Church in Mwihoko, Nairobi, on Thursday. [David Gichuru, Standard]

For 17 years, Agnes Muthoni has had to carry her daughter, Shirleen Kasandi, on her back whenever they leave home. There are days when she carries her for several kilometres while on errands in Nairobi because she can barely afford private means of transport. Kasandi has cerebral palsy, and can barely walk or talk. During the pandemic, the trips have been many.