Lived experiences of persons with acquired physical disability living in Windhoek, Namibia

Date
2022-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY: Background: Acquiring a physical disability can be life changing. Life experiences change, and adjustments must be made. Although there are many studies done in other countries on the lived experiences of persons with disabilities following acquired physical disability, more insights are needed to understand the lived experiences of people with acquired physical disabilities in Windhoek, Namibia. Study aim: To explore and describe the lived experiences of persons with acquired physical disability living in Windhoek, Namibia. Method: A qualitative, phenomenological design that was explorative in nature was used in this study. A purposive sampling method was used to identify participants. A pilot study was done to check for and resolve any challenges and to estimate time needed for each interview. Data were collected using semi structured, face to face, individual interviews with a sample of nine participants. The interviews were recorded, and the recordings were transcribed verbatim. The transcriptions were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Findings: Six themes were identified; i) “All my life, it’s all about adapting”. Participants were left with permanent impairments which forced them to change the way they interact with the environment. They had to adapt to resume the activities important to them. ii) “I am no different to them”. Participants were not seen as any less of a person because of the disability by their friends and family. iii) “I leave everything in my God’s hand”. Participants indicated they do not worry too much if they face challenges as God is in control. iv) We all need money. Participants agreed that financial stability is important. v) Moving about in the community. Being able to move from one point to the other and being able to get into places they want was very important to participants. vi) Health care access. Participants received the necessary health care and rehabilitation. Conclusion: The participants met with some challenges, but they identified strategies to overcome them to live a fulfilling life. The onus for change was on the individuals with acquired physical disabilities themselves, no environmental or societal inclusive strategies were in place. Recommendations were identified and made to different stakeholders including persons with acquired disabilities, community members, rehabilitation professionals, decision makers, taxi drivers and future researchers.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond: Om 'n fisiese gestremdheid op te doen kan lewensveranderend wees. Lewenservarings verander en aanpassings moet gemaak word om die nuwe lewe te hanteer. Alhoewel daar baie studies in ander lande gedoen is oor die geleefde ervarings na verworwe fisiese gestremdheid, was meer insigte nodig om die geleefde ervarings van mense met verworwe fisieke gestremdhede in Windhoek, Namibië te verstaan. Die doel van die studie was om die geleefde ervarings van persone met verworwe fisiese gestremdheid wat in Windhoek, Namibië woon, te verken en te beskryf. Metode: 'n Kwalitatiewe, fenomenologiese ontwerp wat eksploratief van aard was, was in hierdie studie gebruik. ’n Doelgerigte steekproefmetode is gebruik om deelnemers te identifiseer. 'n Loodsstudie is gedoen om enige uitdagings te identifiseer en op te los en om die tyd wat nodig is vir elke onderhoud te skat. Data is ingesamel deur gebruik te maak van semigestruktureerde individuele onderhoude van aangesig tot aangesig met 'n steekproef van nege deelnemers. Die onderhoude is opgeneem en die opnames is woordeliks getranskribeer. Die transkripsies is ontleed met behulp van induktiewe tematiese analise. Bevindings: Ses temas is geïdentifiseer; i) “Dit gaan alles oor aanpassing”. Deelnemers is gelaat met permanente gestremdhede wat die manier waarop hulle met die omgewing omgaan, en dinge doen verander het. Hulle moes aanpas om die aktiwiteite wat vir hulle belangrik is, te hervat. ii) “Ek verskil nie van hulle nie”. Deelnemers is weens die gestremdheid nie as 'n mindere persoon beskou duer familie en vriende nie. iii) “Ek laat alles in my God se hande”. Deelnemers het aangedui dat hulle nie te veel bekommer as hulle uitdagings in die gesig staar nie, aangesien God in beheer is. iv) Ons het almal geld nodig. Deelnemers was dit eens dat finansiële stabiliteit belangrik is. v) Beweeglikheid in die gemeenskap. Om van die een punt na die ander te kan beweeg en by plekke te kan kom was belangrik vir deelnemers. vi) Toegang tot gesondheidsorg. Deelnemers het die nodige gesondheidsorg ontvang. Hulle het nie probleme ondervind om behandeling te kry nie. Gevolgtrekking: Die deelnemers het uitdagings teëgekom, maar het strategieë om dit te oorkom gevind and het vervullende lewens gelei. Die onus vir verandering was op die individue met verworwe fisiese gestremdhede self, geen omgewings- of maatskaplike inklusiewe strategieë was in plek nie. Aanbevelings is geïdentifiseer en aan verskillende belanghebbendes gemaak, insluitend persone met verworwe gestremdhede, gemeenskapslede, professionele rehabilitasiepersoneel, besluitnemers, taxibestuurders en toekomstige navorsers.
Description
Thesis (MHumanRehabSt)--Stellenbosch University, 2022.
Keywords
People with disabilities -- Namibia -- Psychological aspects, Adjustment (Psychology) -- Namibia, Faith -- Psychology -- Namibia, UCTD
Citation