The loneliness of raising a daughter with autism and widowhood, according to Mrs. Rasheedat Olatunji of Ogbomosho, Oyo State, brought about severe suffering and everyday struggles……CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
She describes how she was met with incredulity and rejection by those close to her when her husband passed away, and how she was left to bear the social and emotional weight of raising a kid with autism. The diagnosis’s announcement revealed knowledge and assistance gaps that have influenced her experience. Before her daughter Faizat was officially diagnosed, Rasheedat observed developmental abnormalities in her. Few people in her neighbourhood knew what autism was or how it affected kids and families, so the diagnosis process was perplexing and lonely.
Appointments for medical care and explanations did not instantly result in acceptance by the community or useful assistance. The majority of family replies were unsupportive, and neither emotional nor practical help was provided by extended relatives. Rather than supporting her, several family members downplayed her illness or denied it existed, which prevented Rasheedat from having the support system she could have needed after losing her spouse.
Community members and neighbours occasionally responded with animosity or damaging remarks. Extreme measures were promoted by some as a purported remedy for the problems they saw. Rasheedat’s distress was exacerbated by their responses, which also made her and her daughter’s daily lives more unstable. Rasheedat is adamant about taking care of Faizat in spite of coercion and unfavourable counsel. She has rejected the idea of leaving her daughter behind and sees her as a lifelong obligation.
Her belief is a reflection of her moral compass and maternal dedication in the face of social animosity. Rasheedat has faced practical difficulties as a single parent of an autistic kid. The need for specialised care, financial hardship, and a lack of local resources have made it difficult to get therapies, education, and respite care. Because there aren’t any services close by, she is forced to look for assistance further away or turn to unofficial networks, which don’t always satisfy Faizat’s needs. Rasheedat continues to oversee Faizat’s daily care while negotiating societal stigma and a lack of available support networks. The human difficulties of widowhood and parenting an autistic child in a society that lacks resources and understanding are highlighted in her story.
Her daughter’s well-being and the tiny, essential steps towards stability are her top priorities in every day. To be honest, the majority of folks in my immediate vicinity were unaware of what autism was, she added. My extended family didn’t help me much, and my husband was already dead. Actually, a lot of people didn’t think autism even existed. I felt quite alone because most of their responses were negative. To “live a peaceful life,” some of my neighbours even suggested that I poison my daughter. “I will never do that,” I would always tell them. Faizat is a gift from God, and I will care for her until the day I die…….CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
