This archive report was first published on 19 August 2019.
Esther Wahome: A Mother's Unwavering Love ¶
August 19, 2019
Esther Wahome, a renowned Kenyan musician, has been away from the spotlight for a while, focusing on a more important role – parenting. In an exclusive interview with Word Is…, Esther shares her personal journey of raising an autistic child, offering a glimpse into the challenges she faced and the lessons she learned.
When Esther's son was diagnosed with autism, she was met with a mix of emotions – fear, uncertainty, and a sense of purpose. 'I have always shielded my son from the media, because for me family comes first,' she admitted. 'However, I believe my story can help people out there, so that is why I am speaking out.'
Esther's journey began when her son couldn't speak at the age of 2. The couple sought medical attention, but it took over two years to receive a diagnosis. The moment of truth was bittersweet, but Esther found solace in prayer and her faith. 'The name autism was very heavy on me when we first got the diagnosis; it was this thing that we didn’t know about it. Before we even knew what it was, we totally leaned on God in prayer and we got the courage to go on.'
As Esther delved deeper into understanding autism, she discovered that her son craved substances that were detrimental to his health. Milk was a particular challenge, leading to severe reactions. After studying the condition, Esther and her family began a painful process of withdrawing the harmful foods. 'The hardest part was watching my child cry when we began withdrawing the bad foods. Hearing him cry for that which I knew I couldn’t give him was the most painful moment for me. It was so difficult for him to understand why we were denying him something that he had always been given freely, but we got through it.'
Through her experiences, Esther has come to realize that autism is not a death sentence, but rather a challenge that can be managed with the right diet and therapy. She emphasizes the importance of knowledge and understanding, urging parents to learn as much as they can about the condition. 'It can be managed, today he lives a normal life,' she says. 'If you come to our home, you wouldn’t even know that he has autism from casual observation. Parents need to understand that it is not a death sentence, it can be managed with the right diet and therapy: it’s just a challenge like any other, just accept, adjust and advance.'
Esther's journey has not only brought her family closer together but has also given her music a new depth. She has come to appreciate the unique gifts that autistic children possess, such as photographic memory. 'These kids are really gifted, they have a lot to offer if only we give them a chance.'
Dr. Lincoln Kamau, a Behavior Analyst & Education consultant, adds that while no medication can correct the impairments underlying autism, medications are often used to treat behavioral problems. He emphasizes the importance of gathering information and making informed decisions about treatment options.
