An intense story that shows the power of love by Nancy, for the Special Feature, exclusively for Different Truths.

Some stories encourage and build stamina. Some stories touch and heal. Yet, some stories break hearts and forever refuse to be forgotten.

This is one such story.

The story of a love so intense, the story of a love so pure and blessed that in the city of Chogoria where it took place, it is current news for any and all with a heart that feels.

Her name is Minne. A girl well brought up but orphaned at fourteen. Both parents perishing in a fatal car crash that left Minne in a wheelchair for a solid year. She recovered. Using clutches at first but through sheer determination, went on to walk and later to run.

It is her physiotherapist who owed gratitude for seeing her walk through encouragement long before the pain of the injuries had dulled. And she fell in love with the angel helper.

Five years later, she wed him. Bliss. Heaven. Paradise.

Not nine months later when baby Roy was born.

The seemingly healthy child had jelly bones and could not support his head even at six months. His droopy eyes said more to the father with the medical background than the young mother in love with her cherubic angel.

By eight months, even the mother sensed paradise was losing something. Roy could not sit unsupported, and he drooled non stop.

The doctor’s report was devastating. However, it was not as devastating as the suggestion by the father that they give the boy up for adoption.

‘What!’ the shocked mother howled at the husband’s suggestion.

‘Baby’ he called coolly as many a doctor would react even in the face of bad news to a patient.’ We cannot afford to keep him. You aren’t even working. How do you expect we shall take care of an autistic child?’

Minne’s heart shattered into a thousand shards.

She looked Roy senior in the eye and didn’t recognise him.

She looked him further and saw a stranger.

She wept. O how she wept, as she hugged her sweet innocent child who for no fault of his own would have to depend on parents longer than other children.

That was not the worst. A week to the day, Roy senior did not come home from work.

Neither the following day nor the one after.

Minnie, called him, called the police and called his only sibling; a sister. None had an answer for her.

End of month, a letter came. She was to vacate the doctors’ quarters since her husband had deserted his duties at the hospital.

Shock and disbelief and finally belief as she was hauled out of the house a fortnight later.

To where? To who? With what means?

She wept silently at first then she wailed. When Roy junior joined her in this unfamiliar woe, she had to gather strength and shut up for his sake.

So she sold cheaply what she could, gathered what she could carry and went back to the old deserted home where she was born.

There she sang sad lullabies to her son, growing chickens and tomatoes in the yard.

Roy walked at four years of age.

Roy went to school at seven.

At thirteen he could ride a bike.

At seventeen he could read and write.

At twenty-one, he fell in love for the first time and did a painting of his girl for he was a great artist.

At twenty-four, he married Wendy in the local church.

Roy missed all this, even the twin boys born of this beautiful couple.

Love conquers all.

It’s the testimony of Minnie and many other mothers with children with autism.

Autism is a challenge, but one love can greatly increase chances of a healthy life.

Nancy Ndeke

Nancy Ndeke is a poet, author, traveler, nature enthusiast, from Kenya, Africa. She lives now in Nairobi. She has majored in Literature and Linguistic. Works as Multimedia Consultant, Customer relations, and Education. As a social activist has worked with Girl Child network in Kenya and Child protection in South Sudan and Somalia. For many years, she worked with youth in theater, as scriptwriter and director in drama festivals.