Unheard Burdens:Parental Trauma, Disability, and Caregiving in an Unequal World

Abstract

Parenting a child with a disability involves a profound emotional, physical, and psychological journey shaped by resilience, advocacy, and structural barriers. This study employs an autoethnographic approach to examine how caregivers navigate the intersection of disability, stigma, emotional labor, and institutional neglect. Through reflective narrative and theoretical grounding, the paper highlights the persistent trauma faced by parents rooted not merely in disability itself but in the systemic failures and societal attitudes that complicate caregiving. The analysis underscores three core dimensions: amplified emotional labor, institutional ableism, and chronic sorrow. The findings emphasize the urgent need for inclusive policy reforms and a paradigm shift that acknowledges parental trauma as a public concern rather than a private struggle.