The Reality of Rehabilitation of People with Motor Disabilities in Palestinian Centers: Qualitative Study

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the reality of rehabilitation of people with motor disabilities in Palestinian rehabilitation centers. Using the qualitative method and the descriptive-interpretive approach, a set of in-depth interviews were conducted with six people with motor disabilities, who were selected by intentional sampling according to the variables of gender, age, educational level, income, cause and type of disability. The results showed a positive impact of rehabilitation in improving the psychological state of the beneficiaries and providing them with many skills. The results indicated the need of the target group to cover the costs of physical and occupational therapy and medications, and to provide support tools such as crutches, bathroom chairs, home wheelchairs, prosthetic devices, and maintenance of prosthetic limbs. The in-depth interviews revealed the presence of a group of problems that appear during the rehabilitation phase, namely: material problems represented by many expenses that constitute a large burden; physical problems including fatigue and constant pain; psychological problems including difficulty adapting to disability; social problems including difficulty participating in activities; environmental problems including difficulty using public transportation; and health problems such as ulcers and problems with blood circulation as a result of Due to the lack of mobility, educational problems, including the unsuitability of some educational institutions to their needs, and legal problems related to the failure to implement some laws that guarantee their rights, the study reached a number of recommendations, most notably: activating laws to protect them, and supporting rehabilitation centers financially, technically, and professionally.