Burden of Caring

Abstract

While most parents adapt well to caring for a disabled child, some do not. The literature on disability, narratives of parents, professionals and disabled activists in India highlight the role of prevailing social conditions in the suffering of the disabled and their families. Many issues germane to their day-to-day lives are made invisible by society, and personal and social suffering are ignored. Families also require a range of support services to be able to successfully care for a disabled member. Using the case study approach, this article examines the experiences of caregiving in families of young people with cerebral palsy. It highlights the individual and social dimensions of disability, and their intersection in the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families.