Between joy and sorrow : being the parent of a child with a developmental disability

This thesis explores the experiences of parents who have children with significant developmental disabilities. A dissatisfaction with the interpretive power of dominant paradigms regarding parents' responses to their children with disabilities resulted in a study in which an interpretive methodology, informed by phenomenology, was used. The voices of six parents paint a picture which is at odds with prevalent assumptions of parental crisis and maladjustment. Whilst being conscious of their anguish and sorrow, these parents speak of hope, love, strength and joy. An interpretation of the parents' experience is presented in light of the themes of 'between joy and sorrow', 'hope and no hope' and 'defiance and despair'. This phenomenological interpretation provides insight and understanding and has implications for nursing practice, education and researc