Tamar Dekanoidze

Tamar Dekanoidze, 15 years old, from the village of Merjevi, Sachkhere.

My diagnosis is cerebral palsy diplegia. I know about the diagnosis well. It was given to me when I was the age of one.

When I started school, there was no ramp or elevator. I couldn’t go out to play with my classmates and I remember this making me very sad.

Now the school has built a ramp and an elevator and it makes me happy to be able to move around freely. I have great classmates and many friends. I’m in the 10th grade.

When I go out into public though, I’m still often stared at. I keep thinking it’s probably because others haven’t seen many people like me. By going out into my community, I’m taking a small but important step towards raising public awareness. I also always post photos of myself with my friends and family because I believe that I should have nothing to hide. I tell other parents not to hide their children either. If they do, when they grow up, society still won’t accept them as they are.

We need to be visible.