| Abstract [eng] |
THE MEANING OF LIFE AS EXPERIENCED BY INDIVIDUALS WITH A PHYSICAL DISABILITY When one’s physical abilities are considerably restricted, one’s spirit becomes the sole source of support. That which makes life fulfilling and worthwhile despite one’s losses, that which serves as a source of strength and resilience, that which disability can never take away, - all this is precisely what gives life its meaning. This paper seeks to attain greater insight into the experiences of the physically disabled. It also aims to analyse their subjective understanding of what makes life meaningful. In order to achieve these purposes, we have employed the method of phenomenological analysis devised by R. H. Hycner. The participants, four men and four women aged 29-57, were selected by means of objective sampling and agreed to take part in the stidy. All of them have experienced severe physical disability for at least a year. The results allow us to maintain that almost all the participants consider life to be qualitatively different for a disabled person, as opposed to a non-disabled one: namely, one’s ability to take part in various activities is compromised (for some, these are precisely the activities they used to treasure most), and, what is more, one becomes prone to feelings of helplessness, dependency, vulnerability, inner disaragement and fear of death. The interviews conducted with our participants illustrate that, for the physically disabled, a meaningful life entails understanding the importance of health and proper healthcare, as recovering and maintaining a stable state of health is one of these people’s primary goals; assessing what one has already achieved and what one can still achieve despite one’s limitations; experiencing greater empathy and affinity for people with health problems; experiencing a sense of belonging with other people and striving to be useful and necessary to them; feeling a connection to nature or a higher metaphysical power; using one’s new lifestyle as an opportunity to take part in activities that are meaningful and fulfilling to the individual person, as well as a chance to discover other, new opportunities; realizing that one’s previous lifestyle had been unacceptable, striving for change and fulfillment and taking pleasure in one’s experience. The results of this study are not meant to be extended to all the other people with physical disabilities. They are only intended to reflect the participants’ own understanding of what life means for a physically disabled person. However, we hope that these results may be of more practical use than separate generalizations, as they provide us with insight into such people’s lives. |
