UNDERSTANDING CHILDREN AT RISK WITH REFERENCE TO DISABLED

AND DISASTER AFFECTED CHILDREN. HIGHLIGHT THE PROBLEMS FACED

BY THESE CHILDREN AND THE POSSIBLE CAUSES AND THE WAYS OF
INTERVENTION.

What is Disability?

A disability is any continuing condition that restricts everyday activities. Disabilities can
affect a person’s capacity to communicate, interact with others, learn and get about
independently. Disability is usually permanent but may be episodic

Intellectual Disability (ID, Mentally challenged)

Once called mental retardation, is characterized by below-average intelligence or mental

ability and a lack of skills necessary for day to day living. People with intellectual disabilities
can and do learn new skills, but they learn them more slowly. There are varying degrees of
intellectual disability, from mild to profound. Children who are trafficked, abused and
sexually exploited are at risk for psychological effects as well as physical retardation. Other
forms of violence against children can also lead to a disability such as corporal (Physical)
punishment in schools, children living on the streets, and purposefully created disabilities for
begging. Children from poor families face a double disability.

Physical Disability (Physically challenged)

The inability to use legs, arms, or the body trunk effectively because of paralysis, stiffness,
pain, or other impairments is common. It may be the result of birth defects, disease, age, or
accidents. These disabilities may change from day to day. They may also contribute to other
disabilities such as impaired speech, memory loss, short stature, and hearing loss.1

Disability in world (Survey)

According to UN Enable, around 10% of the world's populations, 650 million people, live
with disabilities. Women and girls with disabilities are particularly at a risk of abuse.
According to a UNICEF survey, 30% of street youth are disabled. Some countries where
IMR rates are high, mortality rates for children with disabilities is as high as 80%. Some
suspect that children with disabilities are being purposely weeded out. 90% of children with
disabilities worldwide do not attend school. Conflict areas find that for every one child that is
killed, three are injured and permanently disabled. Children with disabilities are at a 1.7 times
greater risk of being subjected to some form of violence.

According to CRIN over 150 million children worldwide have a disability. 50% of children
with a hearing impairment and 60% of those with an intellectual impairment are sexually
1
[Link]
03/07/2015
abused. There are many medical professionals who kill children with disabilities and right
them of as mercy killings. 90% of the children with disabilities will not survive pass twenty
years of age. Children with disabilities face discrimination not only in services but also in the
justice system as they are often not considered credible witnesses.2

Disability in India (Survey)

In India children with disabilities mainly comes under the purview of the Ministry of Social
Justice & Empowerment. Some of the issues are dealt with by the health ministry. But no
single ministry has been assigned the protection of these children, which leads to varying data
about occurrence of disability amongst children. In India 1.67% of the 0-19 population has a
disability. 35.29% of all people living with disabilities are children. Other estimates say that
India has 12 million children living with disabilities. Only 1% of children with disabilities
have access to school and one third of most disabilities are preventable. Under-nutrition is a
severe problem with children who suffer from cerebral palsy. In India 80% of children with
disabilities will not survive past age forty. Many of the causes of disability are preventable
by providing expecting mothers will better prenatal (during pregnancy) and post natal
(supporting real) care as well as proper nutrition for infants and [Link] are many
protection issues that also lead to disability, especially mental disabilities. 3

Authorities

Disability in India is still functioning in the realm of social welfare instead of a rights
perspective. Teachers are not trained and schools don't have the infrastructure to deal with
children with disabilities. Neither are pediatric wards of hospitals equipped to deal with them.
There is not enough data on the number of children living with disabilities to allow the
government to provide the necessary services. Mental health disorders account for one sixth
of all health disorders yet India spends 0.83% of its health budget on mental health. Child
laborers are also at a higher risk of becoming disabled especially in hazardous industries. 4

Problems affected by Disabled Children

Children with physical and mental disabilities experience personal limitations in the social,
psychological and economic spheres, some of which can be alleviated with parental,
community and governmental support. The critical task is developing and maintaining a
focus on abilities rather than on disabilities, then honing those abilities to provide the greatest
degree of personal autonomy. Depending on the severity of conditions, the range of
autonomy can vary from functional independence to assisted living to institutional care.

Social Issues

Most children are naturally social and keenly aware of ostracism. Disabled children stand out
as different, and may become targets for ridicule, bullying and mockery. Sometimes, children
2
[Link]
3
Ibid
4
[Link]
do not live in situations where adults fail to encourage other children in the community to be
supportive, nor do they prepare the disabled child for unpleasant encounters and cruelty from
peers.

Solution

They should learn that they do not deserve victimization they can reject it and
should seek the help of an adult when such situations present themselves. Sports can
provide an effective way to strengthen socialization. When paired with developmentally
similar peers and supportive adult guidance, children learn about teamwork,
cooperation and fair play.

Psychological Issues

Children are remarkably resilient, but the psychological effects of physical and mental
disability can be lasting and subtle. Beyond the obvious effects of social turbulence, mental
disability can lead to frequent confusion, frustration, anxiety and anger. Some children,
disabled or not, have sunny temperaments and roll with the punches. More often, though,
disabled children internalize negative messages received from peers and assume they are less
significant and valued than others.

Solution

In this area, it's especially important for family and friends to communicate
positive, reinforcing messages that the child is valued, loved and wanted. While it is not
possible to shield a child from all derogatory remarks, it is possible to refute them.

Economic Issues

In stable families with adequate incomes, children may be shielded from the immediate
economic effects of a physical or psychological condition. More commonly, though,
expensive care requirements mean that money diverted to care is no longer available for a
home in a better neighborhood, car repairsand vacations and so on. In extreme situations, the
costs of care can bankrupt a family, leaving it in poverty. Financial problems can have direct
effects on the child, such as nutritional deficiencies, sporadic or nonexistent availability of
essential medications and uncertain access to medical care due to transportation hurdles.

Solution

Available help in this area varies with locale. Some states provide generous
supplemental health benefits, some places church can do much more than any other
institutions. Most of the mission works of NGO’s, Diocese’s, and Churches start from
this particular situation. Different localities need different needs; we have to find that
needs then we could help them usefully.5

DISASTER

A disaster is a sudden, calamitous event that seriously disrupts the functioning of a

community or society and causes human, material, and economic or environmental losses that
exceed the community’s or society’s ability to cope using its own resources. Though often
caused by nature, disasters can have human origins

Children are highly vulnerable to disasters, in part because of their particular stage of
physiological and social development. Powerful forces of nature such as earthquakes,
cyclones and tsunamis can have serious immediate and long-term impacts on human health,
property and livelihoods, which can have devastating consequences for children and their
future life. Where children and their families are already vulnerable, for example because of
low income, poor housing, or high population density, the impact of these sudden events is
more severe.6

Authority

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is an agency of the Ministry of Home

Affairs whose primary purpose is to coordinate response to natural or man-made disasters
and for capacity building in disaster resiliency and crisis response. NDMA was established
through the Disaster Management Act enacted by the Government of India in December
2005. The Prime Minister is the de facto chairperson of NDMA. The agency is responsible
for framing policies, laying down guidelines and best-practices and coordinating with the
State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) to ensure a holistic and distributed
approach to disaster management.

Mentally affect to Children

Disasters can disrupt a child’s life in many ways. The buildings of her home or school may be
damaged or destroyed. She may lose access to electricity or clean water. She may lose friends
or family members or see disturbing images around her or on the television. Her routine may
be disrupted. These changes can have a harmful effect on her psychological health. Your
family doctor will help you monitor your child’s health and ensure that your child will
recover from the experience of disaster.

Common reactions of children and adolescents to a disaster

The first response phase after a disaster is marked by emotions of fear, shock, anxiety, grief,
or relief that other family members survived. A young child or adolescent may also show
signs of wanting to help others and be of service.

5
JayarajJesudasanBaskar, Holistic Child Development,Christian Forum for child development(Bangalore 2013).
pp. 196-198
6
BordenM. Lynne, Understanding the Impact of Disasters on the Lives of Children and Youth”(ARIZONA. 2013). pp.
1-2
The second response phase after a disaster may occur several weeks after the disaster. Your
child may become more clingy, irritable, or needy. Some children may revert to younger
developmental levels, such as bedwetting or fear of the dark. Other children may experience
physical symptoms such as a change in appetite, constipation, headaches, or poor sleep.
Anger, hostility, and violence toward other children may be shown during play. Some
children may use play as a time to re-enact details of the disaster. This is a coping
mechanism. They may also display ‘magical thinking’ by changing the end result of the
disaster. Some children may also think they are responsible for the disaster. Feelings of guilt
may ensue.

Solution

 The child and the family can help recover from the trauma together. Encourage
open communication and support.
 The goal is to be a source of support and safety for your child. Listen to your
child as they express their fears and concerns. Try to emphasize your child’s
bravery and courage.
 After the disaster, try to resume your daily routine as quickly as possible.
Children do well with schedules. Routines are comforting because they allow the
child to have realistic expectations of their day. Eat meals at regular times.
Enforce regular bedtimes. Assign tasks and chores to school-age children and
adolescents. Some children may express an interest in volunteering others in an
effort to find a purpose. Try to limit your child or adolescent's exposure to
disturbing or violent images on television or the Internet.7

Conclusion

Please forget that we are theologians. Let’s think as a human being. What are our
responsibilities towards these problems? Because today’s children are the future world. They
are the people who are going to lead our nation. As a human being what can we do in our
coming days? St. Luke: 10:30-37 Jesus giving replay for the question that Who is my
Neighbor? For the clarification He is giving the story of Good Samaritan….Parable of Good
Samaritan (We all know the parable) A Priest, A Levite, A Samaritan approach the wounded
man, A priest…. We are the future priests or ministers…. He passed by on the other side…..
Levite also….. Samaritan… he was moved towards him with pity….. Bandaged his wounds,
poured oil, gave wine and took him to hospital…. So, who we are? What we are to be? Want
to be a good priest? Or be a good neighbor…..? A Good Samaritan…..? Be a great human…..
Because all are our neighbors….(Movie)……….. Be a good neighbor for all……

7
Saylor, D. F,Children and disasters( New York, Plenum Press,1993), (no page numbers, I got this book from internet)
Bibliography

 D. F, Saylor. Children and disasters. New York: Plenum Press, 1993.

 JesudasanBaskar, Jayaraj. Holistic Child Development, christian Forum for child
development. Bangalore: 2013.
 Lynne, Borden M. Understanding the Impact of Disasters on the Lives of Children
and Youth. ARIZONA, 2013.

 [Link] 03/07/2015
 Ibid
 [Link] 03/07/2015
 [Link]
what-is-disability/03/07/2015