Resilience on Wheels: Frida and Bright's Inspirational Journey from Tragedy to Triumph Sparks a Call for Urgent Road Safety Measures

By Seliphar Machoni 

In a world where a single encounter can redefine one's entire existence, the stories of two remarkable women, Frida and Bright, stand out as powerful testaments to resilience and the human spirit. 

Both were born healthy without any disabilities, until an incident drastically altered their lives.

Starting with Frida Kirema's story, a vibrant Media House Administrator, passionate about youth advocacy and championing the rights of Kenyan youths and the disabled. Her hardworking, outgoing, and independent nature extended beyond her administrative role to unwavering advocacy for youth and disabled in the country. 

Tragedy struck Frida one fateful afternoon in 2012 when she was sent by her boss to execute a political idea. Proposing a beneficial political news concept, she, along with the political editor and the news manager, embarked on the journey. However, their car met with a fatal accident near Kijabe.

Frida, now recounting the incident, shares, "I can't remember much; the events of that day remain elusive. After proposing noble political news ideas, the journey went well until we reached Kijabe. That's the last I recall. When I woke up, I found myself in the hospital."

Frida explains that the accident caused significant injuries, including head trauma leading to memory loss. 

"I couldn't remember what happened. I was told we were involved in a fatal road accident, rescued by a good samaritan, and rushed to Kijabe hospital. Onlookers presumed my political editor and I were dead, focusing on the news manager. I learned about my injuries, including severe head trauma, two months after the accident."

It took Frida two months to realize the extent of her injuries. "My head injury blocked my memory. I was told my spine compression left me paralyzed; I wouldn't walk again. That was the most shocking news ever heard."

As for Bright Oywaya, a dedicated banker in Kenya, her life changed during a journey to Nairobi. A tragic accident that happened on Mombasa Road forced her to stay away from work for almost a year, eventually leading to her resignation.

"It has  been two decades since the accident along Mombasa Road at Manyani happened. Traveling in a private vehicle, another vehicle attempting to overtake a heavy truck, misjudged the lane, causing our vehicle to have a head-on collision with a heavy truck. Another  vehicle that was behind us hit our vehicle from the back, resulting in a spinal injury. I was rushed to the hospital, I was then informed that due to spinal cord injuries, I would use a wheelchair for life," narrates Bright.

She adds that her injuries extended beyond the spinal cord, affecting other body parts, leading to physical, emotional, and financial challenges.

 "I had severe injuries, underwent months of hospitalization, ruptured organs around my abdomen, and I had multiple major surgeries that drained me physically, emotionally, and financially."

Challenges and Adaptation 

Frida and Bright both faced significant challenges as they adapted to their new life realities. These challenges ranged from physical limitations, financial strain due to frequent hospital visits, emotional upheaval, and societal perceptions. Despite these obstacles, their determination to adapt persisted, and their passions remained steadfast.

Frida expressed the arduous nature of her journey, especially as a mother and the primary provider for her family. The abrupt shift from independence to dependence left her feeling drained. 

She shared, "My entire life changed after the accident. I was once an independent person, found myself unable to do even the simplest tasks. Moving from leaving  upstairs to downstairs became necessary for easier mobility. While my employer supported me, my productivity went down  compared to my pre-accident capabilities."

Medication posed a major challenge for Frida, straining her financially despite assistance from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). The constant need for physiotherapy sessions and other treatments took a toll on her mental well-being. She acknowledged the crucial support of her medical team in alleviating the difficulties of her medical journey.

Bright, too, encountered numerous challenges that she believed would shape the rest of her life. She emphasized the psychological aspect as the most demanding part of her journey. 

Reflecting on her experience working at the Spinal Injuries Hospital, she observed that many individuals facing disabilities give up and succumb to despair.

Societal accessibility emerged as a persistent issue for Bright. Navigating public spaces required continuous advocacy for her rights, and societal acceptance proved elusive. 

"The physical accessibility of our society, along with the limited opportunities for individuals on wheelchairs, has been a constant struggle. Despite being qualified, obtaining employment becomes challenging, as society often views me as a person who is not fit," Bright lamented.

The banking sector became untenable for Bright due to inadequate physical infrastructure, leading her to explore alternative options. She described the experience as psychological torture and chose to resign voluntarily after a year. 

Attitudinal barriers further compounded her challenges, with societal negativity and passive attitudes forcing her to constantly prove her capabilities.

In essence, both Frida and Bright faced multifaceted challenges during their adaptation journeys, encompassing physical, financial, emotional, and societal aspects. 

Resilience and Support 

Frida and Bright drew strength from their support systems, consisting of friends, family, colleagues, and fellow advocates, who not only provided assistance but also instilled belief in their capabilities.

For Bright, the pivotal role played by family and friends helped her overcome challenges and maintain resilience. She emphasizes the significance of building a robust support system, which became her go-to during difficult times, facilitating her triumphant journey.

Bright highlights the transformative impact of her support system on her attitude and ability to reintegrate into work, crediting friends and family for making a difference.

 She acknowledges that her condition has altered daily life and routines, requiring intentional planning for activities. From choosing comfortable living spaces to maintaining meaningful friendships and navigating work, she has become more deliberate in her decisions.

Frida, on the other hand, found support both within her company, which valued her contributions despite reduced mobility, and among her medical team and fellow advocates. 

Networking played a crucial role for Frida as she connected with individuals facing similar challenges, forming a group that provided mutual support, making her journey more manageable.

 As a single mother, the incident forced Frida to think creatively about caring for her child, fostering a reliance on others. Through patience and acceptance of diverse perspectives, she learned to navigate this newfound dependence, with the support of friends and fellow advocates making her life and work more manageable.

Road Safety Advocacy 

Both women are ardent advocates for road safety, consistently urging the government to implement necessary measures to prevent accidents.

 Frida specifically emphasizes the importance of classifying people with disabilities as the most vulnerable in society. She calls on the government to assume full responsibility for individuals with disabilities, ensuring that essential services reach them even in remote villages.

"I urge the government to prioritize individuals living with disabilities, ensuring comprehensive support. While we have the Kenya National Disability Council, its structures are limited. The government should cover medical expenses for people with disabilities, subsidize school fees, and provide assistance to caregivers and parents of disabled children," Frida asserted.

In addition to advocating for disability-related concerns, Frida stresses the need for enhanced road user awareness to diminish the number of people acquiring disabilities due to accidents. She highlights the necessity of robust emergency response systems on roads.

Having served with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) for six years and actively participating in road safety initiatives with various organizations, Bright underscores the importance of improved infrastructure. 

She echoes Frida's call for post-car-crash care, citing her personal experience of enduring a lengthy wait for assistance and first aid after an accident. Bright emphasizes that prolonged rescue times contribute to fatalities among accident victims.

In summary, Frida and Bright advocate for a comprehensive approach to road safety, addressing not only accident prevention but also prioritizing the well-being of individuals with disabilities and ensuring swift post-crash care on the roads.

Message of Inspiration 

In the face of adversity, both Frida and Bright have not merely survived; they have thrived. Their stories resound with messages of hope and inspiration. They both advocate for networking, emphasizing the importance of having a strong social support system and connecting with others facing similar challenges to foster personal growth. Seeking help, they contend, is a vital component of navigating difficult circumstances.

Frida, who has lived with a disability for 12 years, advises individuals facing similar challenges to maintain a positive outlook, embrace open-mindedness, and stay motivated. 

As a leadership life coach and counseling psychologist, Bright underscores the significance of seeking support and engaging in meaningful conversations.

Their journeys serve as perfect  reminders that resilience knows no bounds, and the pillars of support and awareness are crucial in overcoming life-altering challenges. Frida and Bright exemplify that determination, combined with a supportive community, can transform tragedy into triumph.

Report from the NTSA 

According to the National Transport and Safety Authority report for 2023-27, an alarming 1.35 million people succumb to road accidents annually, with up to 50 million sustaining fatal injuries. 

The 2023 Kenya Demographic Health Survey shows that at least 4,690 people lost their lives on Kenyan roads in 2022

The year recorded 21,757 road accident casualties, representing a 5.5 per cent increase from the 20,625 deaths reported in 2021. 

The number of those who lost their lives in road crashes in 2021 was 4,579.

The number of victims who sustained serious injuries in 2022 was 9,935, a decrease from the 10,050 who were critically injured in 2021.

This underscores the pressing need for increased awareness and safety measures to address this significant public health issue.

Report from the World Health Organization

According to the World Health Organization, the annual number of road traffic deaths has slightly decreased to 1.19 million per year. However, with more than 2 deaths occurring per minute and over 3200 per day, road traffic crashes remain the leading cause of death for children and youth aged 5–29 years.

The latest WHO global status report on road safety for 2023 indicates that since 2010, road traffic deaths have fallen by 5% to 1.19 million annually. Yet, road crashes persist as a global health crisis, with pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users facing an acute and increasing risk of death.

“The tragic tally of road crash deaths is heading in the right direction, downwards, but nowhere near fast enough,” says WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“The carnage on our roads is preventable. We call on all countries to prioritize people over cars in their transport systems and ensure the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users.”

Among UN Member States, 108 countries reported a decrease in road traffic-related deaths between 2010 and 2021. Ten countries succeeded in reducing road traffic deaths by over 50%, and 35 more countries made notable progress, reducing deaths by 30% to 50%.

Fifty-three percent of all road traffic fatalities involve vulnerable road users, including pedestrians (23%), riders of powered two- and three-wheelers such as motorcycles (21%), cyclists (6%), and users of micro-mobility devices such as e-scooters (3%). Deaths among car and other 4-wheeled light vehicle occupants slightly decreased to 30% of global fatalities.

Pedestrian deaths rose by 3% to 274,000 between 2010 and 2021, accounting for 23% of global fatalities. Deaths among cyclists increased by nearly 20% to 71,000, constituting 6% of global deaths.

Research indicates that 80% of the world’s roads fail to meet pedestrian safety standards, and only 0.2% have cycle lanes, leaving these road users dangerously exposed.

While 9 in 10 people surveyed identify as pedestrians, only a quarter of countries have policies to promote walking, cycling, and public transport.

The report reveals an alarming lack of progress in advancing laws and safety standards. Only six countries have laws that meet WHO best practices for all risk factors (speeding, drink–driving, and use of motorcycle helmets, seatbelts, and child restraints), while 140 countries (two-thirds of UN Member States) have such laws for at least one of these risk factors. Notably, 23 of these countries modified their laws to meet WHO best practices since the Global status report on road safety 2018.

The global motor-vehicle fleet is set to double by 2030. Yet, only 35 countries – less than a fifth of UN Member States – legislate on all key vehicle safety features. 

The report also reveals major gaps in ensuring safe road infrastructure, with only 51 countries – a quarter of UN Member States – having laws that require safety inspections covering all road users.