View of Disabilities in Haiti
Disabilities in Haiti are viewed completely differently then they are here in America and therefore understanding of the Haitian perspective is crucial to the development of any program. It is rare for people in Haiti to discuss disabilities whether acquired/lifelong or mental/physical. Typically, disabilities are perceived as having origins in the interaction of the natural and supernatural worlds, rather than being a medical issue. There is a shame and social stigma that is attached to disabled individuals and their families. These attitudes prevent Haitian families from seeking support and social inclusion of their sons and daughters into community activity programs. Families may never take advantage of social programs and services that are available. Many of these children become socially isolated, and the families live a life apart from their community.
It is important to understand religion in Haiti to understand this negative stigma that is put on disabilities in Haiti. All these statistics are prior to the earthquake because the earthquake is even affecting and changing religion drastically. 90% of the country is catholic and 10% is protestant. Voodoo exists side by side with Christian faith. Many Haitians see no contradiction to calling themselves Christian while engaging in Voodoo practices. Voodoo is a mixture of African and Haitian beliefs. It has a complex cosmology made up of a large number of supernatural spirits. Each family has a spirit (lwa) associated with it. Daily life is conducted according to what would make these spirits happy. If a lwa’s request is not honored, the lwa may possibly punish the mother or child by giving them a disability. While lwa are voodoo in nature, the same type of explanation holds true within the framework of Christianity. Hatian Christians believe that going against God is the same as going against lwa. God punishes those who do not obey. Disability may also be the result of a spell cast by an enemy. In this case, a disability may be a sign that the disabled individual mistreated someone. For this reason regardless of religious orientation, disabilities are seen as supernatural in origin. It is never just an accident or just genetic
After a women gives birth to a child with a disability, the father of the child may intentionally go out and impregnate another woman. He believes that if the second women gives birth to a normal child, this provides evidence that the first child’s disability is a function of the child’s mother rather than himself. In these cases the mother of the child with a disability is left on her own. In fact many Haitian Children with disabilities are cared for by single mothers.
May Haitians are afraid of disabilities and are uneasy around people with disabilities, who may be called “crazy,” “stupid,” or “possessed.” They may also be labeled “non-functional” or “worthless.” Disabilities are treated as if they are contagious, since the disability may have been caused by an angry spirit, there is always the chance that the spirit may come after anyone who makes contact with a person with a disability. Since people are afraid of disabilities and believe them to be at type of supernatural punishment, many parents keep their disabled children away from the public view. Even though parents love their children dearly, parents view children with disabilities as “worthless.”
View of Rehabilitation in Haiti
When an individual has a disability, any decision about rehabilitation is made by the family as a whole. Each member of the extended family is consulted. The preference is to address the needs of the individual with the disability through a support system within the family itself. When the family does seek help outside of the family structure they typically choose from 2 options: religious or institution-based rehabilitation. Since disabilities are typically believed to be a result of an angry God or lwa or of a spell cast by an enemy, one option for rehabilitation is to turn to religion. Individuals or family may turn to Catholic Priests or Protestant minters to talk about their situation and conditions. By becoming correct with God, the curse or spell may be lifted. If the family cannot provide support, and the religious approach is not successful, individuals or family may turn to institutions that provide rehabilitation. Often times institutions are used as a refugee from the stigma put on them for having a child with a disability. Many Haitians put faith in foreign-based non-governmental organizations, particularly if staffed by whites. Often, there is the expectation that these institutions will provide miracles.
For many Haitian parents rehabilitation is not perceived as a long term process that is achieved in incremental steps. Rehabilitation is seen more as a miraculous, instantaneous cure of what has plagued their child. There is No understanding of rehabilitation as a process. Parents often expect immediate results and do not understand their role in the process. Josette Beaubrun, a Haitian disability rights advocate, believes that “Our Haitian parents need to be able to understand how to help their children and themselves and not to rely solely on the professional to solve their problems for them. They need to learn to be involved and to be more confident and independent in the choices they will have to make for their children.”
Existing Rehab Services in Haiti
Due to the level of poverty and political instability, little infrastructure exists to provide rehabilitation or to survey the needs of the population. Hiding individuals with disabilities makes it impossible to know with any certainty how many people are affected. In one estimation, there are over 100,000 people with an amputation, and virtually no orthotic and prosthetic services. It is estimated that there are around 800,000 people living in Haiti with disabilities. These statistics were before the earthquake now the estimates are that as many as 300,000 people with amputations may be added to that number. While there are some initiatives to help people with disabilities in Haiti not much has been done. As with many other social issues in Haiti, international non-governmental agencies have been very active. Various domestic and international church organizations provide services. Organizations and resources come from many different countries. These efforts appear to be a step in the right directions since they provide direct service and training, but they have been criticized for helping to privatize public responsibilities. By taking over the responsibility of the government, an official, public infrastructure is prevented. While this is a valid criticism, those receiving the direct services are happy to receive them. It is a question of long term goals versus short term needs.
After researching I was only able to find 9 organizations/programs in Haiti helping people with disabilities. I was surprised to find this many BUT this definitely shows there is still a need for more since prior to the earthquake it was estimated that 1 in 10 Haitians lived with some sort of disability whether physical, mental, intellectual or sensory. Ten small/medium size clinics helping over a million people is not enough. Another thing to note is that half of these programs are located in or in the surrounding areas of Port Au Prince and have suffered damage or been completely destroyed due to the earthquake.
What a privlidge I have to be apart of NWHCM that is working hard in this area. Please pray for me as I prepare to go into Haiti in less than 3 months now to strengthen our rehab program for these children. PRay that God will give me wisdom and knowledge to treat each child I come into contact with and the words to educate parents. I am soooooooo excited to see what God in store this summer in Haiti. And I am so humbled and grateful that he chose me to be a vessel for him to use :)
Good for you! Love your passion for these children, and especially for God.
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