A Narrative Inquiry into the Life of a Mother for a Child with Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

This study explores the life story of Jane, who has an adult child with developmental disabilities and who serves as the director of a community welfare center for people with developmental disabilities in South Korea. To this end, this study used narrative inquiry methodology. The experience of a parent was described in terms of the following themes: (i) Narrative experience as a parent in a family: The irony of life—living in a place where guilt and desire coexist, Sub theme: Building up a broader window of communication; (ii) Narrative Experience as the head of an institution: Learning betrayal and making considerations, Sub theme: Breaking free from obsession and finding genuine happiness. In South Korea, there is growing societal interest in adults with developmental disabilities and their families. In this social context, the authors of this study hope that the story of a participant like Jane will help adults with developmental disabilities, parents of children with other types of disabilities, and heads of institutions that provide care for them reflect on and have a deeper understanding of their lives, and present future visions for themselves.