The Experiences of Mothers Who Raise Severely Disabled Children at Home and Their Ties with The Outside World

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the experiences of mothers who raise severely disabled children at home and also to discover their ties with the outside world. Particularly, we clarify a chance and pattern of the connection to the community of the mothers.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine mothers of severely disabled children aged between six and eight years old. The data was qualitatively analyzed.

Results: The results are divided into twenty-one categories and five main categories.

The main categories are as follows:

[A] Mothers faced the reality of raising a child with a severe disability

[B] A frosty attitude from strangers led to [C]

[C] The mothers became blind to the possibility that they can raise their children properly

[D] They gained energy from positive experiences with others resulting in [E]

[E] The mothers got out and widened their horizons

Conclusion: We found several ways that mothers of disabled children connect to the community. The main way mothers did this was by their own efforts, and not just brought about by those close to them. Also, when the mothers faced difficulties in child-raising, they tried to gain sympathy from friends and acquaintances. In order for mothers of disabled children to widen their horizons, relationships with other mothers played a very important role.