LIVED EXPERIENCES AMONG BLIND COUPLES IN DAVAO CITY

The University of Mindanao

Matina Campus, Davao City

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The University of Mindanao, Matina, Davao City

By

J.B John P. Balbarona

Creandale C. Brutas
Lorelei G. Gonzales

October 2015
 ABSTRACT

These days, we knew already that visually incapacitated individuals are belittled such

because of the capacity to do things limitedly. Moreover, prejudice by the society

cant be denied particularly in education, employment and the like. Being blind was a

real challenge for these people to continue their aspirations and improve their quality

of life.

The study is entitled, The Live Experiences among Blind Couples. The

researchers focused on visually impaired couples working at Main Coop Massage

Touch of Wellness, Davao City. The researchers utilized a qualitative design which

uses the phenomenological type approach called Collaizzis method that aims to

analyze and interpret the gathered data. The researchers interviewed nine (9)

participants using the self-made interview guide questionnaire.

The main reason of this study is to determine the lived experiences of the

respondents which are the blind couples in spite of their situation on what they usually

do in facing the reality of day to day life events. This study would help the researchers

discover and their live experiences as a couple. The researchers identified three

emergent themes from the analysis; (1) Adlaw-adlaw na Panginabuhi (Day-to-day

Life events), (2) Kaalam (Knowledge), and, (3) Ginikanang Pagpanga (Parental care).

It is recommended to encourage the government agencies especially the

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to provide or implement seminars in

livelihood as another source of income that is intended for the blind couples or

persons for them to have enough monthly income as a source of living other than

massage therapy.

Keywords: Lived Experiences, Blind Couples, Family

 INTRODUCTION

Buta, Bulag, Blind, three different terms, yet with one similar meaning,

sightless. We usually find them in the streets asking for some alms, working in

different massage centers and etc. but, have you ever wondered how do these men

and women, who were not given the chance to see, managed to handle their own

selves, families and responsibilities? This study aimed to present a glimpse of the

lived experiences of the blind couples living in Davao City who were able to set

their own families and how they accept the situation of being blind. This will also

help identify and prove if there is really a positive response between blind parents

and their children on their survival on their daily living activities and prove in

different approach on how do blind parents in the local area here in Davao.

Worldwide, there are two hundred eighty-five (285) million of the population

were calculated to be visually incapacitated. There are thirty-nine (39) million who

are blind and two hundred forty-six (246) who have low vision. There were about

90% of visually impaired who are financially inadequate in the world. At the age of

fifty (50) years above, 82% of people are blind. Usual causes of moderate to severe

visual impairment are commonly uncorrected refractive errors; still, the leading

cause of blindness in middle- and low-income countries is cataract and 80% of all

visual disabilities can be prevented or cured(WHO, 2014).

A study conducted in Banilad, Cebu showed that parenting behaviors of the

blind parents were fair to satisfactory. The parent-child relationships of the tandem

respondents were found to be generally fair (Herdin, 2013).Despite of the

condition, blind people are able to recognize and live normal lives with the

assistance of their relatives. Those blind people who were blind since they were

born learned to adjust themselves on what their remaining senses could offer
them(Gorman et.al cited inFerrer, 2009).Its never been easy to be sightless. Sense

of sight is one of our primary senses. It allows us to see the things we do. Without

this, it might be a difficult adjustment to do.

Indeed, a big challenge awaits them every day in everything

they do specifically their safety, in earning a living, finding a job, in merely

preparing their meals, traveling to their destination, in commuting public

transportation, in using technologies as a means of communication, how they take

care of their families and how they nurture their children as they grow up. The

struggle that blind people encounter everyday makes the researchers wonder how

they sustain the courage and attitude in continuing life despite their visual

disabilities. (Gorman et.al, cited in Ferrer 2009).

The study impressed this topic in order to explore the blind couples extent of

coping and understand the experiences of these groups. The study foresees the

visually impaired people misjudged by other people by their capabilities.

This is the premise why the study was formulated to dig deeper and further

create better interventions to help blind couples. The study aimed to explore how

they lived as a member of the society, as a parent, as a couple and as a family

provider. Their interesting way of living hooked the researchers attention to learn

more about their life.

 METHODS

This chapter deals with the discussion in research steps and procedures employed

by the research in this study. It presents the research design and method of the study

that include interview, research procedures and data analysis. To provide the

necessary explanations of the instruments followed in the gathering of the data.

Research design

The researchers used the qualitative research design. Qualitative researcher aims

to determine the lived experiences of the blind couple in Davao City, on how they

survive in spite with their condition. The researchers utilized an interview guide

questionnaires. This research collects information to both blind couples on what

theyve experienced in their life. Nine (9) couples were interviewed respectively. This

aimed to provide a wide array of information about the general perspective of blind

couples limited only in the city. This study would also gather qualitative and

quantitative information about survival in daily living, education, communication and

parental care of each of the interviewed couple.

Research Participants

The researchers interviewed nine (9) blind coupleswho are working in the blind

massage institution andconduct the survey to all respondents and ask them with simple

question to collect information.

Research environment

The research was conducted at (Main Coop Massage Touch of Wellness, SC-3

Mezzanine, Ground Floor, Gaisano Mall, Ilustre Street, Davao City, 8000 Davao del

Sur) every afternoon. The setting of the research is very well ventilated and conducive

for their workplace.

The interview of each couple was held at the reception area of the working

area. Couples were individually interviewed in no particular order. A recorder was

placed in the before the respondents. They were asked one by one as per instruction in

the questionnaires and they are allowed to answer simultaneously. One of the

interviewers was assigned to write the answers, one interviewer to ask and another

one to record the conversation.

Research Instruments

The research instrument that the researchers used is an interview guide

questionnaire, proposed and approved by the duly consolidated faculty members and

the college dean and a voice recorder for back-up.

Data Gathering Procedures

The following steps will be used in conducting the study:

1. Sought permission to conduct the study. The researchers formulated a letter

addressed to the Dean of College of Nursing, Ofelia C. Lariego, RN, MAN.

2. Formulating of Question. The researchers formulated questions indicated to the

target research participants in order to provide a supportive questionnaire or

interview guide

3. Validation of the questionnaire. The researchers looked for validators to validate

our formulated questions which may provide as an instrument to conduct our

study.

4. Administration of Research Instrument. The researchers informed the

respondents of the purpose of the study, and the importance then informed consent

will be given. The respondents were given enough time to express his or her

answers.

5. Conduct of the Interview Process. The researchers have selected random blind

couple in Davao City to be the respondents, and let them be aware about the

interview process especially the use of voice recorder.

Data Analysis Tool

Collaizis Research Diagram

Acquiring Verbatim (Transcript)

Extracting significant statement

Formulating Meaning

Organizing the cluster themes

Integration of result

Exhaustive Description

Validation

Figure II. Illustration of the following steps represents Colaizzi process for

phenomenological data analysis (cited in Sanders, 2003; Speziale & Carpenter,

2007).

To be able to analyze the gathered information data from the participants, the

researchers use the phenomenological description technique which helps to widen or

expand our understanding about the target study. This method is a philosophy and a
research method designed to explore and understand people's everyday lived

experiences.

Colaizzis seven-step method of Data Analysis

Acquiring Verbatim (Transcript)

This is the first step which the researchers made sense of the research study.

To gain a sense of the whole content, each transcript data was read several times.

During this stage, any thoughts, feelings, and ideas was collected and this is

about getting information or responses from the interview which adheres gaining a

sense of the whole content. This helped to explore the phenomenon as experienced by

participants themselves. The data that has been collected will be read several times to

extract a significant statement.

Extracting Significant Statement

The second step in data analysis, with common information, the significant

statement or phrases taken from the original transcript were being extracted and

clustered together to formulate meanings with analysis and interpretation. Upon

extracting the significant statement, we identified significant statement from the

verbatim of the participants.

Formulating meaning

In this step, the significant statement taken from the information data were

being extracted and read again and given inputs by analyzing until it formulates its

own meaning. It is how we try to spell out the meaning of each significant statement

provided.
Organizing the Cluster of Themes

After having an agreement toward all formulated meanings, the process of

grouping all these formulated meanings into categories that reflect a unique structure

of clusters of themes was initiated. This step aims to organize or categorized the

summed up themes as collected or formulated meaning was gathered to be put into

cluster themes.

Integration of Result

This is about integrating and combining the result of the gathered data from

formulated meanings. At this stage of analysis, all emergent themes were defined into

an exhaustive description. Clustered themes were going to emerge in order to sum up

into desired theme from the participants verbatim.

Exhaustive description

The result of the finalized gathered data are needed to be converted and

written into exhaustive description. Some amendments were applied to generate clear

relationships between clusters of theme and their extracted themes, which included

also eliminating some ambiguous structures that weaken the whole description.

Validation

This is the final step in Colaizzis of method of analysis. This step aimed to

validate study findings using "member checking" technique. This time the researchers

returned to the participants to validate the gathered data with exhaustive description

that links to their actual experiences and suit to their verbalization and testimonies.
 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

This chapter covers the presentation and data analysis using the process of

Colaizzis (1978) seven step method which provides assistance in extracting,

organizing, and analyzing a set of narrative data to come up with a result. It highlights

the discussion of the result of the study. The result in this research are presented and

interpreted in the chapter under the following headings.

On the thirty-first day (31) of August 2015, the researchers conducted their

fieldwork in Davao City with the help of their informant. The following were the

themes constructed by the researchers based on their observations and discussion of

the participants in their lived experience as blind couples.

There are three themes from the analysis specifically: (1) Adlaw-adlaw Nga

Katikaran (Day-to-Day life events), (2) Kaalam (Knowledge), (3) Ginikanang

Pagpangga (Parental Care).

Theme 1: Adlaw-adlaw na Panginabuhi (Day-to-day Life events)

All of the respondents stated that both of them are working and earning for a

living. All of the couples are working as a massage therapist. When asked who works

for the income of the family and what is the nature of their work, [R1] verbalizes

kaming duha ni misis nag massage therapist, (Both of us are working as massage

therapist).
 Some respondents added that they have also another source of income. [R8]

verbalized naa koy side line pud ginagmay (I also earn money through other sort of

ways). One of the respondents interviewed, specified what sideline they have as

couple. [R6] stated akong bana kay naga pa-load og gapautang-utang pud ko (My

husband is a load retailer and I also earn through lending money to others).

On the other hand, most of the response of the respondents when asked about

who trained them to do household chores,[R1] says that Part siya sa school for the

blind, sa skwelahan naa pud siyay training para sa pag atiman sa balay .(Its a part

of the training of the School for the Blind where doing household chores was also

taught). Other respondent supported the latter statement, [R9] stated katong nag

skwela ko sa Blind School, didto kay kumpleto among training didtoa (Yes, when I

was still studying in School for the Blind, we were really well trained).

Moreover, some respondents stated that they are independent in doing

household chores. They were asked if they depend to other people/family members in

doing household chores. [R2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8] said that,Wala, kami-kami lang, (No, we

do it by ourselves).The respondents are partially blind, thats why they were used to

be independent in doing household chores.

On the other hand, other respondent stated that she was trained already by her

mother especially in cooking. When asked if they depend on other people/ family

members in doing household chores, [R3] stated that Oo, akung mama. Before gina

training ko sa una sa ako mama pagluto.(Yes, my mother. My mother used to train

me how to cook).

All of the respondents stated that they can maintain good and proper hygiene

as what ordinary people are also able to do. When asked how do they maintain their
hygiene, [R2] stated Parehas ra sa inyo gud, maligo, mag ilis ug tarong og syempre

mag pa humot (Its just like what ordinary people do; take a bath, change our

clothes properly and of course, add some perfume).

Theme 2:Kaalam (Knowledge)

All of the respondents stated that they use cellphone as a means of

communication. The cellphone they use is more convenient for them because it is

installed with an application called Talks. [R2] Sa karun, cellphone. Naa naman guy

software nagina-install didtosa cellphone nya nga mu tingug lang na siya kung unsa

imui-text, mura nasiyag Talks. (We are using cellphone with installed application

(Talks). It beeps with the corresponding letter/symbol you clicked).

As supported by other respondent [R3] said: Cellphone jud ang gamit namo

kaso lang ang cellphone sa blind nay Talks, kung walay Talks imung cellphone;

halimbawa adto kag Inbox, pislit kag ikaduwa na arrow down. Adto kag Outbox,

pislit kag ikatulo na arrow down, i- numbering nimu siya para makabaloka kung asa

ka dapit.(We really use cellphones. But it comes with ease for us when it has Talks.

However, for those who have no Talks, for an instance, when you want to open Inbox,

youll have to click twice the downward arrow. When you want to open Outbox, youll

have to click thrice the downward arrow.).

In connection with this, the researcher also asked if how they operate

cellphone, before the Talks application wasnt yet available [R2] answered Sa tawag

kay ok lng kay matubag man nako, pero pag sa text ipabasa dyud nako. Sa pagpalit,

gitudluan jud me (During calls, its okay because I can answer it but through text, I

let someone read it for me. When we bought it, we were already taught how to use it.)
 In continuation, respondents were asked who taught them using it, one of the

respondents [R4] answered: Naga pangutana, naga-patudlo sa bisan kinsa na mga

kaila jud namo.(We asked for assistance to some people whom we know). Respondent

contradicts other respondents answer, [R4] Wala baya gatudlo saamo kami lang gi

orient lang, (No one really taught us, they just oriented us how to use it.)

In attaining education, researchers referred this answers to the kaalam

(knowledge) theme at the first part, expressing that some of the respondents were sent

to Schools for the Blind to be trained and earn educational attainment. [R2] stated;

Nya nag highschool ko sa Talomo National High School (I studied at Talomo

National High School) as supported by [R3] stated Ahh wala ko niagi ug pag skwela

turoial lang ko.(I didnt go to school, I just had tutorials).

Thus this expression and answers were really observed by the researchers

during the collation of the data.

Theme 3: Ginikanang Pagpangga (Parental Care)

As stated by the respondent, being blind was not a barrier in taking care of

their children. [R3]Ahh dili man sagabal imung pagka blind sa imung pagpangga sa

imung anak (Being blind is not a barrier in taking good care of your child) and

supported by other respondent [R2] Ahh syempre kanang parehas ra gud sa inyuha

na ilisan siya og liguon(Just like ordinary people do, we bathe and put them clothes)

continued by respondent [R1]sa permiro jud nag patabang jud me sa akung

manghud (at the start, my youngest sibling used to help us all the time). They are the

one who do bathing and what should be done in nurturing them, but blind couple

needs assistance too especially when they really need due to some personal reason, as

respondent says [R6],pabalik na nako ug trabaho naana, gi train ko daan sa

buhaton sa balay, eldest nakonga eleven years old nagi train napod nako sya ug

kanang lihok-lihok sa balay,. (From work, I train them what to do in the house,

especially my eleven year old eldest child in doing the household chores.)

Moreover, they taught their children the right conduct. The following were the

statement and experiences one of our participants shared [R4] akong ma ingon sa

akong anak na dili sya mag tubag-tubag mag follow sya kung unsa imong e

instruction sa iyaha ,tapos dapat kabalosyamo sorry kung nakasala murag

ana(What matters to me the most is that my child will respect me and follow my

instructions and shall be sorry if he/she has done faults.)

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