Ophthalmology

Biography

Biography: Sanjoy Chowdhury

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify the nature of abuses faced by visually challenged children. It was a descriptive qualitative study done with a set of questionnaire given to visually challenged children both at school and at home. 150 visually challenged children from a school Ashalata, Sector- 5, B S City were involved in this study. The questionnaire given to children was about the behavior of society, family members and neighbors to them. What they feel about themselves, attitude towards life, knowledge of abuses, things that would have changed if they were not blind and their knowledge about visual rehabilitation. All 150 students reported some form of abuses. 3 types of abuses that were mainly faced by visually challenged children were neglect, verbal abuse/psychological abuse and physical abuse. Out of 150 students, 80% reported some form of verbal abuse at home by own family members and neighbor’s causing psychological stress to them. 10% children admitted that they feel neglected at home, a feeling of not a part of their own family but they enjoy more at school among children like them. We found that 90% children do not have the knowledge of forms of physical abuses. Lack of knowledge leads to physical abuses and consequent frustration and a feeling of worthlessness. 40% children after their proper counseling reported physical abuses in some form, most of them by close relatives and neighbors. It was found that all children enjoy friendship among them, feel free in school where they are cared, protected and where they feel that their life is also worth and they are not a burden to the society but can become independent and contribute to society. Loss of vision in a child brings psychological stress to the child as well as to the family along with economic burden. In developing countries because of lack of knowledge and poor access to health services, prevalence of preventable blindness is still high. And furthermore because of poor economic conditions many of the visually challenged children are abandoned by their family. These visually challenged children are highly vulnerable to physical abuses, psychological abuses, child trafficking and child labor. So the question arises what we can do? First and foremost is a positive attitude towards blindness and to acknowledge the abilities of visually challenged people. Rehabilitation of visually challenged children should be promoted to improve functional ability for a good quality of life and to be independent. Emotional support, training programs should be advocated for visually challenged children and their families. Networking and contact with other family members and with blind adults also strengthen the confidence of child and their families. Knowledge sharing should be promoted e.g. Newsletter with practical tips and information on issues affecting the lives of blind children and their families. Annual seminar for parents and teachers should be organized on topics like education, social skills and blind children with additional disabilities. “What’s Available” display and resource list of materials and equipment should be displayed. Parents are the first mobility teachers for a child, so social and educational events for parents of blind child should be organized. A few counseling and intervention strategies on both visually challenged children and family can help a visually challenged child to adapt to their environment and can also help the parents as well as society to live in harmony with this visually challenged community.