Problems of families of people with disabilities

Abstract

This article aims to encourage the reader to reflect on the difficult situation of a person with a disability appearing in the family. The family struggles with social problems (discrimination, lack of acceptance of people with disabilities in society), emotional problems (sense of reduced quality of life, weakening family ties), and material problems (too low income in relation to medical, rehabilitation, therapeutic and educational needs). The article raises the issue of emotions and problems experienced by individual family members: the mother, who is mainly responsible for the care and upbringing of a disabled child; a father who, for various reasons, is often separated from problems related to the child, and a sibling of a disabled child who feels ignored, misunderstood and whose feelings and emotions are marginalized. It also describes a marital/partnership relationship in which, due to the child’s disability, there are communication problems, which often leads to separation. The research presented in the article aims to show the scale of the problem, which, despite the passage of years and increasing social awareness, is still present.