QUALITY OF LIFE OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL RETARDATION.

Dear All

Quality of life (QOL) of persons with mental retardation (PMR) significantly difference from that of the normal persons and persons with other disabilities. In spite of the fact that disability is the real barrier in achieving the rural development, disability gets lowest priority at all levels. The factors for this situation differ significantly from urban to rural areas. In urban areas, the life style & work pressure are significant where as illiteracy, malnutrition, poor health care, sanitation, agriculture & employment etc. dominates in the rural villages. The quality of life of the persons with mental retardation with other associated disabilities is quite complex as most of them even cannot express their basic needs and struggles with activities of daily living (ADL) and needs support on life cycle basis. In addition, they are denied their natural legal rights even after attaining the age of 18 years.

In the existing environment controlled by the process of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization (LPG), majority of the people are affected with malnutrition, poor agriculture, poor health care, poor education, less employment opportunities etc., which finally forces them as the victims of several health issues affecting their way of living. With all these issues and problems, people are surviving but their sustainability and quality of life is very poor with lot of uncertainty. If this is the situation of the people who can listen, talk, walk, think, work and can lead independent life what is the situation of those with disabilities? Let us understand the issues and facilities of PWDs to resolve the same with the aim of improving their sustainability with quality of life.

Looking forward...