Parent-carers of children with physical disabilities in a rural South African setting: Their cultural and social resourcing

Abstract

This study explored lived parent-carer experiences of children with physical disabilities in a rural South African setting. Participants were eight parent-carers (female = 8; age range = 40 to 50 years). The parent-carers completed semi-structured face-to-face interviews on the lived experience of caring for their children with physical disabilities. Findings from the thematic analysis suggest perceiving culturally conflicted advice from traditional healers and church leaders. The parent- carers also reported with diminished material and social support resources and transportation difficulties of getting their children to needed services.