It is the sad story of a 44-year-old blind woman, Hajara Laila, (not her real name) who was raped by an unknown man some months ago here in Accra.
Vulnerable and struggling to survive, Hajara Laila laid bare her chilling story to GHOne News’ Alice Aryeetey.
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For more than 30 years, 44-year-old Laila (not her real name) has been living with visual impairment.
Laila went blind between the ages of 10 and 11 after getting an eye infection, what is termed locally as “apolo”, but her mother, who also got blind six days before she (Laila) was born, could not help save her sight.
Although life has not been rosy, her life had meaning, until that fateful day when she was raped by someone she had no idea about.
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The unknown man forcefully had sex with her. “I did not go to the hospital afterwards because I did not think I would conceive, but even after realizing I was pregnant, I did not want to abort the innocent baby and I cannot also figure out who he is”, said Laila.
According to her, two months after the rape incident, she noticed some changes in her body and visited the hospital for a check-up; only to be told she was pregnant and had contracted HIV.
Laila is convinced she contracted HIV from her rapist because she had not been diagnosed previously with the condition.
Two weeks ago, she gave birth to a bouncy baby girl, who unfortunately was diagnosed with HIV.
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Laila and her new-born baby now live on antiretroviral drugs daily for survival, while battling financial and economic hardships.
She said her life will be much better with a safer and better accommodation as the wooden structure in which she lives with her baby, puts her at risk daily.
Human Rights lawyer, Francis Xavier Sosu have taken over the case and has vowed to seek justice for Laila.
He is, therefore, courting for support for the blind woman and the child to help get them out of their current condition of hardship.
Hmmmm, very sad but God is in control mummy.