A narrative inquiry into the experiences of Syrian refugee families with children living with disabilities
Abstract
Children with disabilities are among the most at-risk groups for marginalization due to compounded disadvantages from the intersection of risk factors such as refugee status and disability status. Despite this high risk, there is no systematic data collected on this group and scant literature on the topic contributing to a feeling of invisibility. We conducted a narrative inquiry on the experiences of two Syrian refugee families with children living with disabilities. Narrative inquiry is a way to understand experience as a storied phenomenon. In order to understand the complexities of the experience as a refugee with a child living with disabilities, attending to the lived and told stories is essential. In hearing the narration of these experiences across time, place, and social contexts various narrative threads emerged. The narrative threads that resonated across the experiences of two families included waiting and a struggle for agency, as well as disruption and continuity.
Notes
Community organizations: N/A
Future research / gaps identified:
Study encompasses the stories of 2 families and cannot be generalized.
Integration timeline: Not defined
Key populations: 2 Syrian refugee families with children with disabilities
Key findings:
Resonating narrative threads that emerged from the stories of both families were:
1) Waiting and a struggle for agency
E.g. waiting in Syria before they could flee, waiting to be granted refugee status in Canada, waiting in Canada for appropriate healthcare, but not being able to do anything to decrease the waiting time.
2) Between disruptions and continuity
Both in the lived experiences of the families, as well as in the way they shared their stories
Key recommendations: N/A
Location: Edmonton, AB
Open access: Yes