Jullian Kamwesigye
By Jullian Kamwesigye
The Stares and the Pin-Pointing: My Life with One Hand
You know what’s funny about living with one hand? The reactions. I’ve seen them all: the stares, the whispering, and my personal favorite the pin-pointing. You’d think people would have mastered subtlety by now, but nope!
It goes something like this:
A quick stare turns into a nudge, followed by a not-so-quiet whisper: “Look at her hand!”
Or, the overly curious kid who loudly asks their parent, “What happened to her hand?” while pointing directly at me (Parents, I see your panic, and it’s okay.)
And then there’s the boldest of all: the full-on point-and-gawk, as if I didn’t notice them treating me like the eighth wonder of the world.
At first, these moments were tough. I’d feel exposed, like I was some kind of walking curiosity cabinet. It made me question myself was I that different? Should I hide my hand? Should I pretend I didn’t notice?
But over time, I’ve learned to deal with it in my own way. Now, when someone points or stares, I make a choice: do I wave? Do I smile? Or do I just keep going and let them figure out their awkward moment on their own? (Honestly, it depends on my mood!).
Sometimes, I even break the tension with humor. If someone’s pointing too obviously, I might say, “It’s okay you can ask about it! Or do you just like pointing?” (That always catches them off guard!) Other times, I’ll wink at the kid who’s curious, or just flash a big grin to remind everyone that I’m totally comfortable with who I am.
But here’s the thing these moments have taught me something important. People aren’t necessarily trying to be rude. Most of the time, its curiosity, not cruelty. And while I don’t owe anyone an explanation, I’ve realized these interactions can be an opportunity to show people that being different isn’t a bad thing.
To those who stare or point, I get it. You’re curious. But here’s a tip: instead of pointing, just smile or even better, say hello. I promise, I’m not as mysterious as you think.
And to anyone else navigating the stares and the whispers: don’t let them dim your light. You’re more than their curiosity. Your uniqueness is your strength, and the world needs exactly who you are.
Life with one hand has been full of lessons, awkward moments, and a lot of laughs. And honestly? I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
The writer is an M&E Auditor at Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL).
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