“He Is Still Our Son”: Derrick’s Story of Love, Loss, and Quiet Strengthy

Derrick is a charming young man. He smiles easily, connects warmly with people around him, and carries himself with a quiet confidence that often surprises those who meet him for the first time. He does not introduce himself through his condition. He introduces himself simply as Derrick.
He is the second born in a family of five children, raised by two parents who love him deeply. Although both parents are present, his mother, Mary Wangari, is his primary caregiver. On days when his father is not working, they alternate care duties, sharing the physical and emotional weight that comes with supporting a child whose needs have grown over time. Derrick’s journey began long before there was a name for what he was going through.

In 2014, when he was still young, his parents began noticing changes. His legs were not as strong as other children’s. He struggled to keep up physically. He needed support in ways that did not feel typical. Concerned, they visited several hospitals, searching for answers. None came. It was not until they visited Kijabe Hospital that a doctor noticed something different. After careful observation, Derrick was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
For Mary and her family, the diagnosis was both a shock and a turning point. They had never heard of Duchenne before. They did not understand what it meant or what the future would look like. Wanting clarity, they sought second opinions and visited more hospitals. Eventually, they returned to Kijabe Hospital, where a biopsy was done and the family was given more information about the condition and how progressive it is.

It was difficult knowledge to absorb. Knowing that the condition would worsen over time was not easy to accept. Still, understanding brought a new kind of strength. It allowed the family to begin adjusting, even as they grieved the life they had imagined for their son.
For years, Derrick attended physiotherapy. His parents did everything they could to help him maintain mobility and comfort. Then in 2019, everything changed. Derrick became fully dependent on a wheelchair.
Watching that transition was heartbreaking. His parents saw the condition progress not in theory, but in daily life. Today, Derrick depends on support for almost everything, including personal hygiene. The level of care required is intense, constant, and physically demanding. As he grows older, caregiving becomes heavier, not because love has reduced, but because the body grows and strength must be supplemented with support.

Derrick is currently in school at Joytown Secondary School, where he is surrounded by people who support him and understand his needs. For Mary, this has been a source of encouragement. Knowing that her son is in an environment where he is accepted and assisted gives her the strength to keep going.
Yet the challenges remain.
Physiotherapy has become increasingly difficult to access. In some places they visited, they were turned away and told that therapy would not change anything. Hearing this was painful. Even when cure is not possible, comfort matters. Dignity matters. Quality of life matters.
Financial strain is constant. School fees and medical support, especially physiotherapy, are heavy burdens for the family. Every decision must be weighed carefully, balancing care for Derrick with the needs of the rest of the children.

Like many families, they also faced confusion in the early days. At one point, they wondered if Derrick’s condition could be something traditional or spiritual. They sought counsel from elders, searching for meaning and answers. Eventually, they came to understand that this was not a curse or a mistake. It was a medical condition. And accepting that truth was part of the journey. Mary does not pretend that the road has been easy. Caring for a 16 year old who is fully dependent takes emotional resilience, physical strength, and faith. Some days are harder than others. Still, she remains grateful. She thanks God for Derrick’s life, for the support they do have, and for the strength to face each day as it comes.
Her message to other families living with Duchenne is honest and compassionate. The journey is hard, especially for caregivers. Communities need to be sensitised so that stigma is reduced and understanding grows. Awareness changes how families are treated, how children are supported, and how caregivers are seen.

Derrick may live with Duchenne, but he does not define himself by it. He is a young man with personality, presence, and worth. His life matters, not because of what he can or cannot do, but because he is here.
At Friends of Muscular Dystrophy Kenya, stories like Derrick’s remind us that Duchenne is not just a medical condition. It is a family journey. One that requires care, awareness, and community.
And when families are supported, when caregivers are seen, and when children like Derrick are accepted fully, the journey becomes lighter. This is Derrick’s story.