Abstract
This phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of parents raising children with special needs, focusing on the emotional, spiritual, financial, and social dimensions of their journey. Using Colaizzi’s method of analysis, narratives were gathered through in-depth interviews with selected parents from rural and urban communities. The findings revealed six major themes: (1) daily struggles with behavioral and emotional challenges, (2) physical and emotional strain during episodes of illness and hospitalization, (3) financial constraints including indebtedness and lack of stable income, (4) resilience grounded in faith, hope, and prayer, (5) the necessity of hard work, savings, and supplemental income, and (6) the power of unconditional love, acceptance, and family involvement in nurturing a child’s growth. Participants consistently turned to faith in God as their emotional anchor, while also demonstrating perseverance through collaborative caregiving, active parenting, and community resource-seeking. Despite the multifaceted hardships, parents embraced their children as blessings, rejecting societal stigma and choosing to lead with compassion and hope. These findings underscore the importance of targeted support systems, inclusive policies, and mental health interventions that affirm both the challenges and strength of parents navigating the lifelong responsibility of raising a child with special needs.
