On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated every December 3, the outcry of Stéphanie Désir echoes as an urgent call to collective awareness. Now 33 years old, Stéphanie suffers from inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy, a debilitating neurological condition. Despite her resilience in the face of daily challenges, she confronts a system that seems to ignore the realities of people with reduced mobility in Haiti.
Stéphanie denounces not only the discrimination and social exclusion faced by people with disabilities but also the ineffectiveness of state actions. “Every year on December 3, conferences are organized, but nothing changes on the ground. It’s all words with no concrete action,” she says bitterly.
She urges the authorities to move beyond speeches by implementing inclusive policies, accessible infrastructure, and adequate healthcare services. “We don’t want to be forgotten by society. We deserve a dignified life, proper care, and real recognition,” she adds.
Despite her efforts, Stéphanie is still waiting for a response from the State to her letters requesting support for treatment abroad, as her illness is incurable within the Haitian medical context. Her case illustrates the desperation of many people with disabilities, who are often left behind in a country where access to healthcare and infrastructure remains a luxury.
This International Day of Persons with Disabilities must be an opportunity to turn promises into concrete actions. Stéphanie, like so many others, is not asking for charity, but for the fundamental right to live with dignity. Her voice is a powerful reminder of the urgent need for change — so that people with disabilities in Haiti can finally enjoy their rights and live with dignity.
