Antoinette’s Story: A Journey of Hope and Courage

Antoinette was born on March 12, 2010, as the second child in her family. From the very beginning, her life was marked by challenges. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, Antoinette’s arrival brought not just physical difficulties, but deep emotional struggles for her family — especially her mother, Clementine.

“I had difficulty accepting Antoinette as my child,” Clementine shares honestly. “Her condition created a lot of quarrels and fights between me and my husband, who blamed me for giving birth to a disabled child. His family stigmatized me as well — they have never even visited us since she was born.”

Isolated and without support, Clementine faced a heartbreaking reality. Her husband refused to provide money for Antoinette’s medical care, forcing her to sell the goats from her birth family to afford treatment. Even that wasn’t enough.

In October 2018, everything changed. Clementine and Antoinette discovered Love With Actions.

“I met other mothers with children with disabilities, and that helped me realize I wasn’t alone,” Clementine says. “For the first time, I began cherishing my daughter.”

Through the compassionate support of Love With Actions (LWA), Antoinette’s medical needs were met. LWA covered her medical bills, including six months in the hospital for surgery and casting of her legs. Thanks to this care, Antoinette can now walk with a walking frame. She can sit independently, giving Clementine the freedom to manage other responsibilities.

Weekly physical therapy sessions continue to reduce Antoinette’s pain, improve her gait, and strengthen her head control. The transformation has been profound — not just for Antoinette, but for her entire family.

“Love With Actions gave me a new goat and taught me how to sew,” Clementine says with gratitude. “Now I am making money. Antoinette has been enrolled in school, and I am so happy about that. There are no more fights and quarrels with my husband.”

Today, Antoinette is thriving. She attends class at Love With Actions Academy, where she learns and grows alongside other children. She has even become a voice for children with disabilities, sharing her story in the film Hope on the Hill, which highlights the experiences of children like her and how their lives can change with love and support.

Antoinette’s journey is a story of courage, resilience, and the power of community. With the right support, her life — and her mother’s — have been transformed.