Marlo - a student from Yawari school

Marlo at his school.

Marlo is a student at Yawari school. When he was still a baby he had a high fever after his vaccanation and started convulsing.
After that Marlo had a physical disability. His parents blame the vaccinations. The truth is that many times vaccinations in Ecuador, especially at Amazon region, haven't been the safest ones.
The zone has been even used for medical testing. Also the vaccacinations are given even if the baby has fever already.
On the other hand, there are syndromes that activate with high fever.

Marlo with his dad.

When Marlo was four years old she had a little sister who also has a physical disability. So, there is a strong possibility for heredity.
There really isn't a way to be sure, at least here in Ecuador, what caused Marlo's disability. What is important how his family has reacted.
They have rallied around him and tried every possible direction for help. Nowadays in Ecuador there actually exists possible aids for disabled people.

Marlo using scissors.

In kichwa culture Marlo's family's reaction has been quite untraditional. Here disability is something evil, caused by sins of the parens. Or even diabolical influence during the bregnancy.
Maybe it has been easier for his family to accept, since he was "normal" at birth. But it is not unsual for a family to abandon emotionally and even physically their children after they have an accident or something else causes them a disability.
Today you can find Marlo at Yawari school's first grade. He's a good student who does his best. He has many friends among his classmates and he enjoys going to school.

Marlo at first grade.

Marlo with his school friends.