“Sincere Despite Being Disabled:” A Phenomenological Study on Victims of Natural Disasters in Palu and Sigi in Achieving Resilience

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A case of being disabled from birth is a very different thing compared to being disabled as an adult and it is not easy for them to live a new life and adapt to limited conditions. They need many adaptations such as psychological self-acceptance, adaptation to the use of assistive devices, social adaptation, and economic adaptation. A person can adapt well if he has high resilience in himself. AIM: The objective of the study was to explore the experiences of victims of natural disasters in Palu and Sigi who experienced physical disabilities in achieving resilience. METHODS: This study is qualitative research with a phenomenological approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews using semi-structured interview guidelines. The total number of participants in this study was eight participants who were victims of natural disasters in Palu and Sigi and experienced physical disabilities and had achieved resilience based on the resilience scale. RESULTS: The study found four main themes that explain why participants can achieve resilience, namely, sincerely accept reality, have a high fighting spirit, family and community become the support system, and make limitations as strengths. CONCLUSION: Having increasing resilience is an important element in life because it can provide experience for a person who is facing a challenge or difficulty in life. Therefore, it is important for each individual to increase the resilience so that they can help individuals to adapt, survive overcome problems in difficult conditions, and bounce back from adversity.