Every future parent hopes to have a healthy baby and for their child to live a long and healthy life. However, sometimes a parent’s worst fear becomes a reality, when their children experience a temporary or permanent disability during their child, teenager or adult years. The cause of a mental or physical disability can include but is not limited to illness, accidents and mental or physical abuse.
One of the biggest challenges for a parent, caring for their disabled child during infancy, is trying to find out how they can help them accept and minimise the effect their condition has on their day to day life. As their child grows up and takes their place in the world as ‘different’ from those around them, new challenges surface for them and their carers. Although awareness of disabilities and how to cope with them is increasing, many people are fearful of what they don’t understand or feel embarrassed by those who appear ‘different’. It is apparent that many people with limitations try to hide their condition so they can be given the same opportunities in life as normal people. An example of this is people suffering from epilepsy who feel that it would be a disadvantage to tell potential employers about their condition.
A physical or mental disability in any form places different limitations not only on the person with the disability but also on their family and carers. Family members who live with the daily challenges of caring for a disabled loved one can be overwhelmed and this can lead to depression, anxiety and stress related illnesses. Parents need support and to be well informed on how to give their disabled children the best possible treatment. Specialists are best equipped to give them answers to medical complications, seek information on schools that have support teachers and facilities available to assist children with a disability and details of qualified carers. The individual who is living with a disability can easily be frustrated when dealing with learning difficulties, limited employment choices and acceptance by the community.
BIGA Care is all about giving a mother the ability to help her child, a brother to understand what to do for his sister and continue to increase awareness of disabilities in people, across the local community.