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Disability Issues
Dr Christine Peta
THIS week, we focus on the International Day of Care and Support, which is observed annually on October 29, as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly.
The day emphasises the importance of investing in the care economy and creating robust, resilient, gender-responsive, disability-inclusive and age-sensitive care and support systems that fully respect human rights. The goal is to recognise, reduce, value and redistribute unpaid care and domestic work.
However, this article specifically addresses caregiving for individuals with disabilities. This involves providing tailored support, assistance and care to meet the specific needs of each person.
This may include helping with daily living activities such as bathing, eating, toileting and administration of medication.
In many cases, family members assume the role of caregivers. Disability impacts not only the individual but also their entire support network, including family and friends.
Caregivers may face physical, emotional and financial challenges associated with their role. It is common for caregivers to feel burdened and worried about the future of both themselves and the person with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities may also experience negative impacts from caregiving roles.
They may have limited social lives or be forced to leave employment, depending on the severity and nature of the disability.
Raising a child with severe disabilities is a demanding full-time job that often requires a parent to leave employment or hire a caregiver.
While we tend to focus on the needs of the child, the effects of caregiving on the parent’s life are often overlooked.
When a child with disabilities is born, family members may experience a range of emotions, including shock, withdrawal, guilt, blame, anger, reduced self-esteem, uncertainty, denial, depression, embarrassment and fear of stigma.
These feelings may stem from the realisation that the expected “normal” child has not been born. If these emotions are not addressed properly, they can negatively impact the parents’ mental health, especially when they consult traditional healers, prophets and contemporary healthcare systems simultaneously.
The inability to find a clear reason for the child’s disability may lead to spiritual crises or even blame games involving partners, potentially resulting in divorce.
It is important to remember that individuals with disabilities who require care and support are not limited to children.
Spouses, siblings, parents, aunts, uncles and other relatives may also need care.
Service providers must understand the challenges faced by caregivers to develop strategies that support both the person with disabilities and their caregivers.
Research on the experiences of caregivers is essential to provide service providers and policymakers with a deeper understanding of the issue and enable them to address the associated challenges effectively.
Dr Christine Peta is a disability, public health, policy, international development and research expert. She is the national director of disability affairs in Zimbabwe. She can be contacted on: developafrica2020 @gmail.com
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