Getting a suitable partner to marry is usually a daunting task for many young people but it is worse when it comes to persons with disabilities. 

They suffer stigma in various forms because many treat them as if they are less humans and cannot meet their expectations. 

A Former President of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations, Mr. Prince Debrah who is an Electronic Engineer in an interview with The Spectator on Wednesday said that, he was rejected by 34 women before his present wife said “yes” to him.

“Some people look down on us and feel we will not make good spouses. For those who are even ready to date you, they wish that it is kept a secret because they are embarrassed to let people know” he said.

Mr. Debrah said he had been generous and shown so much love and care towards every woman he expressed interest in but this never worked.

He said most of them pretentiously showed interest and returned the love until it was time to meet their families. 

He said some either developed cold feet or their families made very unpleasant comments which was a clear indication that he was not welcomed and so he had to move on.

The Electronic Engineer said he, however, did not give up but decided to keep trying his luck until he met Ms Esther Debrah who received him with opened arms and has been the best wife any man could get.

He said they have been married for 15 years and have five daughters. 

“People are of the opinion that a physically challenged person can not give satisfaction in bed and for such people, I used to dare them to try me” he said amidst laughter. 

He said others also had a perception that they were incapable of making babies and feared that even if they could, they may give birth to disabled children. 

He described such thoughts as unfortunate and largely based on ignorance because “not all disabilities are hereditary or genetic but some happen as a result of accidents.

“I was not born physically challenged.  It was a case of medical negligence and this happened to me when I was eight years” he disclosed. 

He said disabled persons struggled a lot to get their partners as a result, some have no choice but to marry their colleagues.

The former president of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations said spouses of disabled persons also suffered serious stigmatisation as they were asked silly questions sometimes regarding their marriage with able-bodied persons. 

“You get people asking why of all the people in this world, you have decided to settle down with this man or woman as if we are also not humans. Others also question our sexual lives,” he decried the form of discrimination in society.

He advised people to stop stigmatising disabled persons and that those who had decided to marry them, should be left alone to live their comfortable lives.

From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.