This archive report was first published on 9 July 2020.
On a fateful day in his third year at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Brian Muchiri's life took a drastic turn. A car accident left him paralyzed from the armpits down, at the tender age of 20.
His parents had to put their lives on hold to care for him, and he was forced to quit school. The road to recovery was long and arduous, with Brian bedridden for two years and completely dependent on his caregivers.
However, Brian's spirit remained unbroken. He began to find solace in writing, and in 2015, he started posting short stories on his Facebook page. His talent caught the attention of the editor of Potentash, a lifestyle blog, who offered him a job in 2019.
Today, Brian runs a weekly series that sheds light on disability issues and raises awareness about the intricacies of life with a disability. He also writes for Love Matters Africa, debunking stereotypes associated with people with disabilities, their relationships, and their sexuality.
Through his initiative, Strong Spine Foundation, Brian and his team have made significant contributions to the debate on accessibility and supplied adult diapers to vulnerable individuals. They have also built a house for an orphaned young man in Njoro.
Despite the challenges he faces, including limited mobility and the need to work on his mobile phone, Brian remains determined to make a difference. He has grown to be more independent, attending physiotherapy sessions, learning to use his phone, and even getting a motorized wheelchair.
As a writer, Brian has seen tremendous growth in the last year, with his work having a significant impact on readers and doors opening for him. He has been invited to speak about disability issues at various events, including radio stations and TV shows.
