Born in 2000, Hategekimana says he was diagnosed with polio in 2001, despite having received a polio vaccine during infancy. The circumstances surrounding his infection are unclear.

The effects of his condition remain part of his daily life. He says walking long distances, particularly uphill, is difficult because he becomes tired quickly. His mobility is also limited by the cost of transport, sometimes restricting how far he can travel when he cannot afford a motorcycle taxi. He also experiences breathing difficulties and bone pain, challenges he has had to manage while pursuing his education.

Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system and can cause permanent paralysis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “one in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis.” Among people who develop paralysis, 5–10% die when the muscles responsible for breathing become immobilised.

The disease mainly affects children under five, although unvaccinated people of any age can contract it. There is no cure for polio, but vaccination can prevent the disease.

Hategekimana's experience was not limited to physical difficulties. During primary school, he says he was bullied because of his disability, an experience that formed part of his childhood.

Despite these challenges, Hategekimana continued with his education. He is now in his fourth year at Mount Kigali University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media and Communications, a programme that is bringing him closer to a career he has long admired.

Hategekimana says his interest in journalism developed from listening to journalists on the radio.

“I hope to become a journalist and a presenter so I can be the voice for people with disabilities,” he said.

He hopes to become a journalist and presenter, with a particular interest in telling stories that bring attention to the experiences of people with disabilities.

He has already begun putting that interest into practice through his YouTube channel, Twese Turashoboye TV. The channel features interviews in Kinyarwanda, giving him a platform to speak with people and share their different experiences.

His education has also received support from Rulindo District officials, which he says has helped him continue his studies by supporting his tuition costs.

Hategekimana says his experiences have strengthened his desire to speak for people whose stories are often overlooked. He believes people living with disabilities deserve understanding, support and opportunities to participate fully in society.

He urges parents to ensure their children receive all recommended doses of the polio vaccine, stressing the importance of vaccination in protecting children against the disease.