author: Penka Yaneva
During pregnancy, all parents build up some ideas, have plans and dreams for their future child. What will he look like, what color will his eyes and hair be, what gender will he be, how will they communicate with him and what feelings will they experience after his appearance. But unfortunately, dreams and ideas do not always coincide with reality. Sometimes it is “brutal”. No parent lives with the attitude that they will give birth to and raise a child with a disability, be it physical or mental. And when this happens, this reality hits like a “powerful tsunami”.
The initial stress that arises from the child's diagnosis by specialists often grows into disappointment, guilt, panic from the unknown and fear of not being able to cope with raising the child. It is not easy for any parent to hear that the child has a diagnosis related to developmental disorders. The desired long, joyful expectation of the little angel can sometimes be quite painful with conflicting feelings and emotions. Faced with a difficult path with challenges of a different nature, the parent is often torn by disappointment, sadness, anger and guilt. In order to survive these feelings, the parent needs greater awareness of the child's condition, the consequences and treatment of the disease. Adaptation and acceptance are a slow process of the parent's struggle with himself and goes through different stages. In most cases, such a child is accepted by his family almost as a "punishment from fate."
Attitude towards children with disabilities today in our country and around the world
For every family, caring for a child with physical or mental problems is a challenge, strewn with countless questions, fears about the future and a sense of helplessness. The uncertainties that a family with a child with disabilities has to deal with are many: what is his health at the present moment, what is the prognosis in the future, how often medical examinations, procedures and treatment will be carried out. A major change occurs in the family, professional and social plan. Some parents feel guilty about the child's condition, while others feel a sense of denial, neglect of the problem, which leads to a biased point of view and possible delay in the diagnosis and treatment of the child. In such cases, it is important how the parents adapt to the child's condition, what stages of awareness they go through and react to it. The reactions of the parents, initial or subsequent, are based to a very large extent on how children and people with disabilities are generally perceived in society. The reaction of others - relatives, friends, acquaintances, and complete strangers - has a great influence on the feelings, emotions, and often the behavior of these parents.
In most moments, parents react to children's reactions, their emotions and social communication, in a way that is beneficial to their healthy development. Many parents develop a feeling of grief that they harbor for a long time or remains permanently. In order to recover and overcome this feeling, support and support from loved ones, partners and relatives are needed. Adequate information and guidance for treatment and rehabilitation from specialists can help the parent change their focus and build a new idea, hope and expectations for raising the child.
Despite the initial stress, however, a significant portion of these parents eventually accept reality as it is. And they decide that fate is simply trying to give them a "life lesson in love." Love that is unconditional and boundless.
The needs of children with disabilities and their place in society
© 2024 Iliana Dechkova