Challenges and coping mechanisms of parents with visually impaired children

Abstract

A qualitative-descriptive research design was employed in this study utilizing a phenomenological observation covering the participants who unveiled their experiences about the challenges they encountered and their coping mechanisms in addressing those challenges through informal scheduled interview. This covered 6 participants of parents with visually impaired children who shared their challenges encountered in terms of emotional, financial, educational, social, and orientation and mobility while their coping mechanisms employed are divert focus/no big deal, seeking support, self-learning, helping one another (buliganay) and be prayerful. Thus, Parents are encouraged to exhaust all means in seeking possible supports that would cater to the needs of their children. As the old adage goes; “It takes a village to raise a child”, parents may connect with stakeholders (other parents family members, relatives, friends, teachers, neighbors, professionals, policy makers, religious organizations) as a shared responsibility for providing care and support for their children. Whenever possible, government policies and laws concerning financial and educational supports to children with disabilities may be revisited and reviewed by the law makers and be in full implementation to benefit both parents and children and be a part with other countries in terms of support extended by the government. Moreover, values on positivity and spirituality may be sustained to provide hope and inspiration to parents.