Children with disabilities, the forgotten in the world

Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
Chierici Regolari Minori Mission (Caracciolini)

The disability that affects children amplifies that sense of injustice that one feels in the face of a destiny that has decided to disseminate the path of a lifetime with obstacles. But disability is also and above all an analysis of the handicaps that derive from it, that is the social and environmental barriers that contribute to a person’s overall well-being.

Therefore, the “240 million” that UNICEF has estimated as the number of children who are affected by moderate or severe disabilities in the world really shudders. On balance, one in 8 in the range up to 14 years. Almost four Italies.

But states, governments, companies, what do they do for these children? A little. The results of the report show the bleak picture of a third of the countries in the world without ratification of the Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities, let alone those of children, of rights. A child doesn’t know, can’t ask, can’t get angry. He can only grow, if given the chance.

Salvatore Cimmino