Kenya and the Power of Care That Connects Us

By: Motivational Speaker, Becky Jackson Curran

There are moments in life that redefine who we are. For me, my 2013 trip to Kenya was one of them.

When I traveled to Nairobi to speak at the launch of the Association of People with Dwarfism in Kenya, I knew I was stepping into something far bigger than myself. It was a chance to help create space for people with dwarfism, like myself, to be seen, valued, and recognized as important members of society.

At the time, I experienced Kenya through the lens of a public speaker and disability inclusion advocate, unaware of Kupenda and the powerful, community-driven work already underway to transform how disability is understood.

Now, years later, that experience holds an entirely new meaning.

My connection to Kenya has become deeply personal. My care partner and nursing team are from Kenya, even though they now live in the United States. That connection has shaped the way I experience care. It is not just clinical. It is rooted in empathy, cultural understanding, and a commitment to seeing the whole person, not just a diagnosis.

When I think back to my time in Kenya, I remember the families I met and the resilience they carried. Parents advocating tirelessly for their children with dwarfism in systems, especially schools, that were never designed with them in mind. Communities slowly shifting from misunderstanding to empathy, from exclusion to inclusion.

Recently, I learned about Kupenda and the work they are doing alongside organizations like Kuhenza to equip families, educators, and community leaders to replace stigma with dignity and opportunity. It gave me a deeper understanding of what I had witnessed and added a meaningful new layer to my experience.

Today, I sponsor two beautiful children through Kupenda. It is my way of staying connected to a place that has shaped me and of helping create a future where children with disabilities are not only accepted, but fully included.

Across continents, the experiences of families raising children with disabilities share a common thread. The challenges may look different, but the need for understanding, advocacy, and support remains universal.

This journey has come full circle. What began as a speaking opportunity has grown into a meaningful connection that continues to shape how I advocate and how I give back.

And at the heart of it all is my late son, Jackson, whose life and legacy continue to shape how I love, advocate, and show up in the world.

Becoming his mom changed me. It deepened my understanding of love, strengthened my instinct to advocate, and clarified what truly matters. His life continues to guide me toward work that creates connection, expands belonging, and helps others feel seen.

Because of him, this journey carries even greater meaning. Sponsoring children through Kupenda is one way I carry his legacy forward, helping ensure that other children are seen and given the opportunities they deserve.

If this story resonates with you, I invite you to learn more about Kupenda and take action, whether by sponsoring a child, sharing their mission, or choosing to see and uplift people with disabilities in your own community.

It all begins with awareness, but it grows through action.

That is the legacy I carry forward, in his honor.