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Ryan Chapter IV 1
Ryan Chapter IV 1
This chapter presents the analysis, presentation and interpretation of the data gathered in
the Challenges and Coping Mechanism of Parents with visually impaired children in the selected
Every parent has their own experiences in raising their children. As a parent, even if your child
doesn't have a disability they will encounter challenges because they will be raising a person
when he/she grows up they could be a different person than what you expected. However, when
a parent will be raising a child or children with visually impaired they will encounter more
challenges because the child has a high risk of fall fracture, injuries for mental health, cognitive
deficits and social isolation. The challenges shared by the informants with the themes extracted
Emotional. Informants 1 & 2 shared their feelings of sympathy towards their child’s
“indi gid ya namun malipod nga du halos gab-e gabe nagatangis gid ako ya
tungod sa kaluoy sang akun kabataan.”(1)
I cried for countless nights, the feelings I cannot hide as I pity my VI children so much.
“Ang una-una gid nga nagsulod sakun, ang na ano, naluoy ka bala siya kay
ngaman ari nalang sa sa balay mo”(2)
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First, I felt pity for him because he stays at home most of the time.
Parents in such situation may experience uncontrollable tears, sadness and feelings of
hopelessness. The first feeling that they felt is too much pity that their child cannot go outside
doing the normal ways of life that others normally do. They are very affected and most of the
time cried in a corner hiding themselves from the feeling of pity about their child’s condition and
difficult situation. They experience emotional stress from the start that they know their child is
blind. Result of this study is consistent with the study of (Shapira & Gvion, 2019) stating that
parents of children with visual impairment often face significant challenges related to emotional
stress, communication, and daily activities. Parents with visually impaired children are mindful
about their child’s disability but every time they think about it, they cannot help but feel sad.
They feel isolated and may also have the feelings of guilt, shame, anxiety, or depression.
Moreover, the study of Lupon, M., Armayones, M., & Cardona, G, ( 2018), has similar findings
that some parents express feelings of helplessness, frustration, lack of attachment, or guilt for not
understanding their children’s behavior, not accepting their needs or not interpreting their
communicative cues.
My problem with my child is, how to send my child to school for education?
“Ang akun napanumdom, kung paano siya maka eskwela bala, kay syempre
bulag! indi sa matunto” (2)
Parents, upon knowing their child has a visual impairment, immediately worry about their
child’s future and how they are going to live in a secular world. The first thing that comes in
their mind is the education of their child despite their disability and how they will have a job
opportunities. Education is the key element in honing their child’s future. They believe that
through education their child will know what is happening in the real world and they participate
normally in the community. They will be able to know what is right and wrong and avoid the
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deception of others. However, this belief about education becomes still a challenge for parent of
visually impaired children. Some parents don’t know where their child be enrolled. It is difficult
to look for appropriate school for them that can provide quality education and later on, they will
be employed with the favorable job opportunities. The study of (Lupon, M., Armayones, M., &
Cardona, G; (2018) supports this dilemma of uncertainty for their child’s independent living ,
Financial. Informants 1, 2 & 4 shared their challenges and experiences towards financial
constraints in supporting the basic needs and other extra expenses like medication.
“Ang sa financial namun nga problema kay tungod wala man kami
sang regular nga trabaho. Makaya man namun ang pagpakon sa amun kabataan
pero indi man, indi gid sapat nga mahatag gid namun kag amun gid na ang ila
pagid nga pagpaeskwela kay tungod indi man ako makatrabaho sang maayo
tungod gina atindiran ko gid sila kag sang ila nga papa”.(1)
Our problem is on the financial aspect because we don’t have a stable job. We
can manage to feed our children and send them to school but inadequately sustain them. I
“Kabudlay gid eh, una nga daan, pag masakit ya sina, siyempre, wala man
kami kwarta gid nga ikagstos bala, kun paano sa mabulong sa iya balatian kay
iya balatian cancer, una sa utok pa”(2)
It is so difficult, first and foremost we don’t have sufficient money to sustain his
Money supports the family expenses, it allows them to meet their basic needs, to buy
food, clothing and shelter and to pay for health care as well as education payments. Lack of
money in the family will significantly affect the well-being of each member of the family
causing them to suffer. In the case of the parents of visually impaired child/ren they strive so
hard to find a stable job to earn money to sustain their needs and other extra expenses because
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of their child’s special needs. A child with visual impairment needs more financial help for their
assistive technology, education, medical treatment and others. Parents suffer on finding finances
to support their child medication and others have failed to bring their child to an ophthalmologist
because of poverty. They prefer to assume and accept that their child can’t see anymore without
Fangwi, M.L. ( 2018) opined that parental financial commitment impacts the children
with a sense of belongingness, makes them regular in class, gives psychological stability, foster
their self-esteem, give them a sense of self worth, foster fluency and makes them feel loved and
accepted. Findings further revealed that financial commitment increases the academic
On the other hand, the study of S’lungile K. et. al., ( 2015) showed that most parents in
Swaziland complained for financial constraints towards helping their children with disabilities.
They were all for the view that government must intervene in the form of trainings or financial
assistance which is in contrast with other countries that fully supports the financial and
In this study, four out of six parent participants ( 66.66% ) also vent out their financial
Social: Informants 1, 2 and 5 shared their experiences they meet in their social
“Kis-a magguwa ka sa balay mo, may ara gid mga istorya nga gina
kwan ang tawo, siempre gina kwon man amon buot pero ginaistorya namon
sang insekto pro mabudlay mageksplekar kun kis-a nga wala kaintindi.”(1)
When you go out, people say something undesirable and we feel disappointed
yet still we explain well to them but it is very difficult to explain to someone who
doesn't understand.
You can’t tell him to go with his peers because he is different from them,
he is blind. No one will guide him for a walk. As a parent you need to go with him
“Paano mo siya mabuligan nga ma-accept niya iya self sa society nga
inde siya magbatyag ng kaluluoy siya nga may something nga dako gid ang
nadula sa iya?”(5)
How can you help her to accept herself and to the society where she belongs
Social isolation is one of the many difficulties of blindness to a person. Some children
lack social interaction because of low esteem and self-confidence. This social aspect of their
parents is badly affected because they also want their children to mingle with other people and
enjoy their life. Due to overprotection of their child and the fear of putting themselves at risk,
they prevent their child from going outside or going out with their peers alone. It is supported in
the study of (Lupon, M., Armayones, M., & Cardona, G; 2018). The attitude of parents may
range from overprotection or hiding the child, to being overly impressed and proud of their
children’s achievements. Every time, their children go out they are always accompanied by them,
ensuring their personal safety and security. They are always there to defend them in any
negative circumstances brought by negative perception towards disability. They first explain to
them nicely, however there are some who refuse to understand what makes parents disappointed.
Bringing the children with visual impairment to the real world is a challenge to parents on how
to develop their self-acceptance for the readiness in dealing with the people in the society in
order that what may happens they are strong enough to fight for themselves when they
association between disability and poverty. The pressure that parents have in fulfilling their
demands, financial strain, society’s attitude and beliefs, often lead to a higher level of stress
which may further lead to severe health problems, personality disorders and even death.
Generally parents are aware of their responsibility as parents and they perform it in daily
basis providing their basic needs. Parent find difficult to perform their responsibilities for the
reason that a person who are blind that can’t live independently needs an assistance to assist him.
The result of this, is some parents sacrifices their other responsibilities like their responsibilities
to husband and other children. They find difficult in taking good care of their child with visual
impairment because they have many things to consider like for a blind everything must be
describe and explain clearly. Sometimes parents are frustrated when they cannot easily get by
their child, consequently, it is more difficult when a child with visual impairment has other
disabilities like mental retardation. . In addition, it is more difficult for a parent to perform their
responsibility when they need to work for the lack of finances, most of the time they are
Orientation and Mobility. Informants 2 and 6 shared similar challenges in the orientation and
“Mabudlay, idul-ong mo pa siya, inde man siya kauli kun inde mo siya pagsution”(2)
It is difficult , as you will accompany him where he goes and he can’t go home if you
will not pick him up.
In order for the person who is blind to move and travel independently they need to have
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orientation and mobility training by which they are taught with new orientation and mobility
skills to navigate their ways safely. When these sets of skills are not yet taught to a child with
visual impairment, he/she will find it difficult to explore in the community or go outside for
important things to do like going to school, buying personal needs or going to amusement centers
for enjoyment. This lack of orientation mobility and skills resulted in the burden of the parents
The sooner the O & M training begins, the easier it will be for the child to build an
Table 1. Challenges
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It is so difficult, first and foremost we don’t
have sufficient money to sustain his medical
treatment as he is suffering from brain cancer.”
In every challenges that parents of visually impaired children encountered they find ways
Seeking Support
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Coping mechanism in the financial aspect refers to the strategies and techniques that
individuals use in order to deal with financial challenges and difficulties. This can include
seeking support, such as from family, friends, or financial professionals, to help them navigate
financial issues. Additionally, coping mechanisms can include creating a budget and sticking to
it, reducing expenses, finding additional sources of income, and developing financial literacy to
better manage finances. Coping mechanisms in finances can help individuals and families better
manage their financial situation and improve their overall financial well-being. If parents are
seeking financial support for visually impaired children, there are several options available to
them. One option is to explore government programs that provide assistance to parents with
visually impaired children. These programs may include financial assistance for medical
expenses, special education services, and assistive technology. Another option is to contact non-
profit organizations that provide support services for visually impaired children and their
families. These organizations may offer financial assistance for school supplies, adaptive
equipment, and other resources that can help improve the quality of life for visually impaired
children. Parents can also consider reaching out to local businesses or community organizations
to request support. Many businesses and organizations have charitable giving programs that
support children with visual impairment and may be willing to provide financial assistance or in-
kind donations. In addition to these options, parents may consider crowd funding platforms to
raise funds for specific needs or projects related to your child's visual impairment. This can be a
powerful way to engage with your community and share your story with others who may be
willing to offer support. Overall, seeking financial support for visually impaired children can be
challenging, but there are many resources available to help parents navigate this process and find
the support you need. This is supported by the claim of informant #1 she states, “ Nagapangayo
man ako bulig sa akon utod nga mahatag ko man ila kinahanglanon, tapos waay man ako dire
ginapabay-an sang barangay. Nagapangayo man ako sa ila kay kun sa amon lang gid ya
personal nga mag-asawa, kulang gid kami ya sa pinansyal.”(1)( Due to financial constraint, I
seek support financially in my immediate family and our LGU to provide the needs of my
visually impaired children"). Likewise the same ways that of informant #5 did, when she said,
“Nagpursige man kami nga mag-asawa nga mangayo bulig bala para mabulong lang siya.”(2)
( Together with my wife we continue to seek support for him to be cured.). Parents of visually
impaired children by all means when health of their children at stake they never cease to find
Emotionally and socially, the study of Borah, S. and Gogoi, S. ( 2021) on Coping
Strategies of Parents having Children With Special Needs ( CWSN ) revealed that majority of
the parents tend to use one or more means of active coping strategies to cope with their child’s
disability. Necessary adjustments with skillful use of coping strategies can contribute to a
healthier life., Moreover, the study of Heiman T. (2016 ) also revealed that majority of the
parents had an optimistic outlook, a realistic view, and acceptance of their child’s disability.
Talking with other parents in school, spending the day with them, talking about each other’s
needs, and taking advice for them helps them to reduce stress.
When Parents of visually impaired children faced negative emotions toward situation, they
divert their attention to cope this emotions. Here are some ways to divert attention. First, Focus
critical have the strength to shift their attention to positive perspective. Although they have the
fear of what happen for their child in the future but they still find hope to what is important and
that is upbringing their child dispite of disability. This is supported by the claim of the
informant #5 that state “Paghambal sang doctor nga inde na siya kakita, didto nalang kami
(When the doctor said that she can’t see anymore, ". We focus on how we can raise her.)It is
important to divert your attention when undesirable situation happens to prevent you from more
Coping with the social aspect of being a parent of a visually impaired child can be challenging,
but it's important to remember that it's no big deal. There are a few ideas to help parents with
visually impaired children such as Be open and honest: Talk to your friends and family about
your child's visual impairment. Explain what it means and how it affects your child's daily life.
This will help them understand and will make it easier for them to support you and your child;
Educate others: If your child goes to school, talk to their teachers and classmates about their
visual impairment. This will help them understand how to interact with your child and will create
a more inclusive environment; Celebrate differences: Instead of focusing on what your child
can't do, celebrate what they can do. Encourage them to participate in activities that interest them
and support them in achieving their goals. Remember, being a parent of a visually impaired child
is no big deal. With a little bit of education and support, you and your child can thrive in any
social situation. It is supported by the statement of Informant 1. when she said, “Ginaexplain ko
sa ila kag ginasaysay ko sa ila kag sa subong siguro nga mga tawo inde naman lipod sa ila nga
makikita naman sa sosyodad nga kita nga mga kabataan bilang may kapansanan, nga mabaton
na sa komunidad naton”( I discus to them that now a days we can’t deny the fact that a person’s
with disabilities are already accepted in the society). Sometimes parents and their children with
visual impairement in their socal interacton felt being discriminated. They experienced being
rejected because of the child disability, however they just ignore it. It is supported by the claim
of informant #5 that states “Discrimination, pero para sa amon inde gid ina dako ukon big
deal.” (It is discrimination but for us it is not a big deal.) “ No big deal helps parents adjust to
unfavorable situation in facing all forms of discrimination that they will not be carried away by
their emotions instead find a ways to legally protect their children’s rights.
Self- Learning
Self-learning can be a great way for parents of visually-impaired children to enhance their
understanding of the educational aspects of their child's needs. There are several ways to
approach this: Attend workshops or webinars: Look for workshops, webinars or conferences that
cover topics related to the education of visually-impaired children. These events are usually
designed to provide parents with useful information and practical strategies that can help them
support their children's educational needs; Join online communities: There are many online
communities that offer support and resources for parents of visually-impaired children. Joining
these communities can give you access to a wealth of information and advice, as well as the
opportunity to connect with other parents who are going through similar experiences; Read
books and articles: There are many books and articles available that cover topics related to the
education of visually-impaired children. These resources can provide you with valuable insights
and practical strategies that can help you support your child's educational needs. Lastly, Work
with your child's teacher: Your child's teacher can be a great resource for learning about your
child's educational needs. Make sure to communicate regularly with your child's teacher and ask
for suggestions on ways to support your child's learning at home. This is supported by the claim
of informant #6 that states that “Nag enroll ako sa hadly para makahibalo sa paggamit sang
braille. Naga attend man ako sa mga webinar kag mga online class kung paano mag padako
sang bata nga kasablagan sa mata or child with visual impairement” ( I enrolled to hadly school
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for the blind to know on how to use and read braille. I also attended some webinar and online
class that focuses on raising a blind child. I explain everything that I saw to my child with visual
impairment.)
Raising a visually impaired child can be challenging, but with the right support and resources, it
can also be a rewarding experience. There are some approaches on how family members can
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help each other cope with the challenges of raising a visually impaired child: Communicate
openly and honestly: Talk to each other about your feelings, concerns, and questions. It's
important to create a safe and supportive environment where everyone feels heard and
understood; Educate yourself: Learn as much as you can about your child's condition and the
resources available to them. This can help parents feel more empowered and better equipped to
support visually impaired children; Work together: Raising a visually impaired child requires
teamwork. Make sure everyone knows their role and responsibilities, and work together to create
a plan that works for everyone; Be patient and flexible: Raising a visually impaired child can be
unpredictable at times, so it's important to be patient and flexible. Allow time for adjustments
and changes, and be willing to adapt as necessary. This is supported by the claim of informant #4
“nalampuwasan ko ang mga kabudlayan tungod man sa pagbinuligay sang akon mga kabataan
nga may kasablagan sa mata” ( I surpassed the challenges because my children with visual
Being Prayerful
With all the challenges encountered by the parents with visually impaired children, the primary
foundation to cope with those challenges is through “prayer”. Prayer can be a powerful tool to
help parents gain strength, find comfort and feel more connected to their faith during difficult
times. According to Dougan ( 2016 ) as cited in the study of Borah ( 2021 ), it was pointed out
that Religion is morally supportive for families with children with developmental disabilities.
People turn to religion under difficult conditions and can continue in life because of their
religious beliefs. This is strongly supported by the study of Kamaruddin and Mamat in 2015
where parents are more likely to turn towards religion engaging in prayer for reassurance and
increased religious activities to reduce stress. Hence parents can pray for their child's health and
well-being, ask for guidance and wisdom in their parenting journey, and seek comfort and
strength in their faith. Parents can also find solace in joining a prayer group or community where
they can find support and compassion from others who are going through similar experiences.
It's important to remember that every parent copes with their child's visual impairment
spirituality into their daily routines, parents can find a sense of peace and purpose in their
journey.
ko, ginalakip ko gid sila, hambal ko sa ginoo “paano nalang ini sila kong wala na ako kay indi
man sila kakita” ( I pray, I include them in my prayers asking God what will happen to them
when I pass away because they can’t see.) Parents with visually impaired children use bible to
face a challenges. Also informant #5 had this statement “Ginapanumdom ko nalang ang
hambal sang bibliya nga may mas importatante pa nga mga butang kaysa mag dwell sa sina nga
sitwasyon.” ( I only think what the bible says that there are more important things than dwelling