Empowering Exceptional Children

Empowering Exceptional Children

Exploring the Lived Experience of Individuals with Physical-Motor Disabilities

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
negar falmarzi 1
Sajjad aminimanesh 2
Banafshe omidvar 3
mohammad mozaffari 3
1 PhD student, Department of Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Shiraz Branch, Fars Science and Research Campus, Islamic Azad University, Fars, Department of Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran.
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
10.22034/ceciranj.2026.558671.2002
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of individuals with physical-motor disabilities. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed. The statistical population comprised all individuals with physical-motor disabilities in Shiraz in 2024. Purposive sampling was used, which continued until theoretical saturation was achieved, resulting in semi-structured interviews with 13 individuals with physical-motor disabilities. The thematic analysis of the participants’ lived experiences yielded 3 main themes and 25 subthemes. The main themes included: relationships with friends; relationships with the opposite sex and romantic relationships/marriage; and childbearing and parenting. The findings indicated that understanding individuals with physical-motor disabilities in society requires a comprehensive recognition of their characteristics and desires for a stress-free life, free from negative attitudes toward their physical and emotional traits and relational capacities. Indeed, a physical-motor disability influences the mindset and attitudes of both the individuals themselves and other members of society more than it affects the physical body. Based on these findings, it is recommended that support systems be established for individuals with physical-motor disabilities to facilitate anxiety- and shame-free peer relationships and marriage, and to empower them to raise children without economic, social, or emotional concerns.
Keywords
Lived Experiences
Phenomenology
Physical-Motor Disabilities
Subjects
Acheampong, A. K., Aziato, L., Marfo, M., & Amevor, P. (2020). Breastfeeding and caring for children: A qualitative exploration of the experiences of mothers with physical impairments in Ghana. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 20(1), 331. [link]
Adam, E.K., Chyu, L., Hoyt, L.T., Doane, L.D., Boisjoly, J., Duncan, P.G.J., Chase-Lansdale, L., & Macdade W.T. (2011). Adverse Adolescent Relationship Histories and Young Adult Health: Cumulative Effects of Loneliness, Low Parental Support, Relationship Instability, Intimate Partner Violence, and Loss. Journal of Adolescent Health, 49, 278–286. [link]
Amin, A. S., Shaari, A. H., & Khairuddin, K. F. (2020). Barriers to marriage and motherhood: The experiences of disabled women in Malaysia. The History of the Family, 25(2), 246–264. [link]
Brennan, E., & Swords, L. (2021). Parenting with a spinal cord injury: A systematic review of mothers’ and fathers’ experiences. Rehabilitation Psychology, 66(4), 404–414. [link]
Casey, A. M., Nolan, M., & Nixon, E. (2022). ‘You lose confidence in being a human being, never mind being a parent’: The lived experience of mothers with spinal cord injury. Qualitative Health Research, 32(11), 1657– 1671. [link]
Dunne, A., & Ryan, C. (2025). Being a Parent with a Physical Disability: A Systematic Review. Rehabilitation Psychology, 70 (3), 354–364. [link]
Frostad, P., & Pijl, S. J. (2007). Does being friendly help in making friends? The relation between the social position and social skills of pupils with special needs in mainstream education. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 22(1), 15–30. [link]
Hackett, R. A., Steptoe, A., Lang, R. P., & et al. (2020). Disability discrimination and well-being in the United Kingdom: a prospective cohort study. BMJ, 10, e035714. [link]
Hall, J. P., Kurth N. K., & Goddard, K. S. (2022). “Assessing Factors Associated with Social Connectedness in Adults with Mobility Disabilities.” supplement, Disability and Health Journal, 15 (1), 101206. [link]
Halvorsen, R.., Hvinden, B., Beadle Brown, J., Biggeri, M., Tøssebro, T., & Waldschmidt, A. (2017). Understanding the Lived Experiences of Per sons with Disabilities in Nine Countries. Active Citizenship and Disability in Europe, London: Routledge Advances in Disability Studies. [link]
Heifetz , M., Lake, J., Weiss, J., Isaacs, B., & Connolly, J. (2020). Dating and romantic relationships of adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. J Adolesc, 79, 39-48. [link]
Jacob, J., Canchola, J. A., & Preston, P. (2019). Young adult children of parents with disabilities: Self-esteem, stigma, and overall experience. Stigma and Health, 4(3), 310–319. [link]
Koster, M., Pijl, S. J., Nakken, H., & Van Houten, E. (2010). Social participation of students with special needs in regular primary education in the Netherlands. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 57(1), 59–75. [link]
Kwan, C., Gitimoghaddam, M., & Collet, J. P. (2020). Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: A Scoping Review. Brain Sci,28, 10 (11), 786. [link]
Mamas, C., Bjorklund Jr, P., Daly,  A. J., & Moukarzel, S. (2020). Friendship and support networks among students with disabilities in middle school. International Journal of Educational Research,  103, 101608. [link]
Powel, R. M., Mitra, M., Smeltzer, S., & Long-Bellil, L. M. (2017). Family Attitudes and Reactions toward Pregnancy among Women with Physical Disabilities. Women s Health, 27 (3). [link]
Singh, R. (2025). Listening to the voices of adults with physical disabilities in Delhi, India: the lived experiences of psycho-emotional disablism. Disability & society, 40 (7), 2011–2030. [link]
World Health Organization. (2024). “Disability: Key Facts.” [link]
 Zewude. B. & Habtegiorgis., T. (2021). Willingness of youth without disabilities to have romantic love and marital relationships with persons with disabilities. Life Sciences, Society and Policy, 17(5), 2-17. [link]

  • Receive Date 09 November 2025
  • Revise Date 06 June 2026
  • Accept Date 07 June 2026