Coping strategies of families with low socio-economic status raising children with physical disabilities in Mafeteng Lesotho

Abstract

Raising children is a highly demanding job for any family; the demands are even higher when the child has a disability. The cost of raising a child with a disability is said to be three times higher than that of raising a non-disabled child. Unfortunately, children with disabilities could be born into any family, including the poorest of the poor, who, due to their low socio-economic status, already have less than what is necessary to meet the needs of the non-disabled members. There is limited research into the coping strategies of families raising the children with disabilities in Lesotho, for this reason, the researcher decided to undertake this particular study to feed the curiosity on how families with low socio-economic status managed to raise the children with physical disabilities in this poverty stricken country. Following the Qualitative methodology, the researcher utilised both the purposive and the simple random sampling techniques to select participants from a list provided by the Department of Social Development. A total of ten (10) interviews were conducted with representatives of low socio-economic status families raising children with physical disabilities in the Makaota E12 community council of the Mafeteng district. The study revealed that the majority of families were coping well and that they were generally happy despite the presence of a child with a disability in their homes. The study further revealed a number of factors that played a role in determining the coping ability of each family; these include availability of the support structures and the severity of the child's disability. Finally, the study raised a need for post diagnosis counselling and educational campaigns intended to equip the families of children with physical disabilities with relevant skills and information they require to assist the children to develop to their full potential. The study further raised a need for broader research into the lives of children living with disabilities and their families, for better understanding of the area and for improved service delivery.