Easing the trauma

Abstract

The aim of this study was to give as clear as possible a picture of what goes on in the children's hospital wards and in the homes of chronically ill children. To make this study we observed and prepared questionnaires to the people involved i.e. children, parents and the play-workers. The sample consisted of 8 children in all: 4 in the hospital wards and 4 in their homes. The ethnographic research revealed that although these children are not in a classroom setting, they still learn through play which also reduces their trauma and fear. In the first two chapters, we gave an overview of what education is about and how the people concerned in this sector are catering for these 'disabled children'. We also gave a historic representation of what has been going on since the beginning of this service. In chapter 3, we discussed the method used to conduct our research, the difficulties which we encountered, the dilemmas and worries of the parents and their children. Through the questionnaires which we distributed to the above mentioned stakeholders, we managed to elicit some interesting information about the present situation both at hospital and in the homes. All this was discussed in chapters 4 and 5. From our observations we concluded that if there is co-operation between the parents, teachers, play-workers, children and the school where the child attends, the child, who is the major stakeholder will benefit a lot from this service and hence the gap will be minimised.