A chronic disability can quickly turn celebration into mourning, turn daughters into servants, and can shroud proud parents in shame.

Nine-year-old Almaz Sahelu was born in Gurage region in Ethiopia, in Cheza village. She is the third born for her family.

Almaz was born with clubfeet. Her parents were devastated when they saw the condition of their daughter; they only blamed themselves. Her father, Sahilu, thought that his daughter’s legs were twisted because of his and his wife’s sin. He was overcome with guilt and said, “We were ashamed (to show our daughter to) our neighbors because they would consider us sinners and cursed people by God. We feared becoming outcasts from our villagers. We showed her condition to only close family members.” Read the rest of this entry »