‘A burdensome journey’: The plight of mothers of children with disabilities in Torwood community, Kwekwe, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This article explores on the plight of mothers of children with disabilities in Torwood community, Kwekwe Zimbabwe. Missing in literature is the perspective that the plight of mothers of children with disabilities has not been taken into account yet they face numerous obstacles that prove to have a great impact on their well-being and smooth caregiving. To gain a deeper appreciation of the plight of mothers, an African research methodology was utilised punctuated by Ubuntu research approach (URA) whereby data were gathered using dialogue approach and dare or indaba method among twelve mothers who were humanely selected from a local support group in Torwood community. In-situ primary analysis was used as analysis was done as data was collected. An Ubuntu approach was utilised as a theoretical underpinning to analyse the plight of mothers. The research findings show that mothers of children with disabilities encounter numerous obstacles which include psycho-social, financial, transportation, physical and psychological. Utilising the Ubuntu perspective, the obstacles facing mothers of children with disabilities reveal that there is lack of caring, humanness, inclusion, justice, sympathy, compassion towards mothers of children with disabilities. The study concludes that mothers of children with disabilities are having difficult experiences in as far as caregiving is concerned. It is recommended that there is need to review the disability policy, make an informed budgetary allocation for caregivers, more research initiatives on the plight of caregivers, embarking on anti- stigma programs.