The Role of Family in the Lives of Disabled Malaysian Children

Malaysia is a collective society that places emphasis on unity and a sense of belonging to the family. This article sets out the role played by families with disabled children, especially how family impacts on the lives of these children in relation to their disability experiences. Thirty-three Malaysian women with physical impairments were interviewed twice with questions designed to explore their childhood experiences. The findings showed that in the absence of adequate welfare support, the majority of participants were supported by their families and thus family had a pivotal role in their early lives. Ironically however, the inadequacy of the welfare state in terms of support for accessible housing, education and training forced them to live away from their family. This led them to experience both physical and psychological isolation. Additionally, the emotional load resulting from this combination of circumstances contributed to sibling rivalry and conflict within their families. This study therefore concludes that state-led multi-agencies should work together in providing supporting mechanisms to enable disabled children to live at home, which would include the provision of financial resources, accessible housing and psycho-social support. Working parents, for example, should be given financial incentives to employ carers, and to have additional support given by daily care centres for special needs children. Likewise, effective psychological and counselling services should be provided for disabled children and their families.