EXPERIENCES SHARING THROUGH THE INTERVIEWS FROM TWENTY ONE PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY IN GUJARAT REGION OF INDIA

Background and Objective: Caring for a child with a disability presents a multifaceted challenge for managing and coping with the child?s functional limitations and possible long term dependence to the caregiver and family. A wide range of difficulties are experienced by the parents of children with CP. Methods: The study utilized an interview format to examine the difficulties experienced by mothers of children with cerebral palsy. Interviews were conducted in the Gujarat region of India between June 2016 and December 2016, from various physiotherapy and rehabilitation centres with the mothers of 21 children with cerebral palsy. Face to face interviews were held in a suitable physical environment using a semi-structured questionnaire without the use of a recorder. Results: The parents are found to be troubled with many difficulties including problems with personal relations, social and economic problems, issues involving the sick child?s care and education, worries about future of the child, need for more support services etc. Conclusion: In the light of these findings, we recommend that physiotherapy and rehabilitation centres catering to the children with cerebral palsy should focus to provide a professional approach to reviewing the difficulties parents face and emphasize the importance of family?s role in rehabilitation.