In India, when a child with a disability is born, their often feel insecure about their own old age years. They worry about who will look after them, because the assumption is that people with disabilities cannot care for the aged. This is a common stereotype that still exists in our country.
People with disabilities are often seen as a burden on their family. Due to this stereotypical notion, most parents don’t even educate their children with disabilities. According to the Census report of 2011, around 67% of PwDs are literate in India.
Parents regard a child with disabilities as someone who will always depend on them for their financial needs. Such parents are often concerned about the future of the child, and moreover, their own future. I have personally heard people talking about families who have a child with disabilities and referring to them as ‘doomed for life’. It really doesn’t work that way. There is just one thing that money can’t buy, which is love and affection. These are the only things that a child with a disability can abundantly give to their parents, in a way that another child might not be able to.
I am a young woman with cerebral palsy, I live with my mom, dad, and younger brother. I often think about how I will be able to take care of my parents later in life. And there are many different views expressed by people with disabilities about this.
I had an interesting conversation with some of my friends with disabilities about this topic. I asked them about some personal experiences where they really supported their parents. I am happy to share their experiences below.
“When my father died, I was there for my mom, emotionally,” said Pulkit Sharma, a person with cerebral palsy and a famous video blogger on YouTube. “Mom got drained out; it was me who supported her. Now we are a kind of strength for each other. I am the only mental support for my mum. She feels safe sharing her things only with me and then whatever is troubling her we both sort it out together.”
Sameer Chaturvedi is a person with Cerebral Palsy and a mild quadriplegic. Sameer is pursuing his PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University. He said, “On a personal note, I have provided emotional support to my parents and younger brother for a long time. Whenever I see their disturbed faces, I instruct them to sit down with me and talk their heart out.”
A few days ago, someone asked me this same question, about how I would be able to support my family when I myself need support. Well, I think that this article is the best answer to that question.