File:Mother and her child with a disability.jpg

English: In South Africa, many children with neurological disorders, such as cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities, are born into households living in poverty. There are very few day-care or educational facilities for children with special needs, and even fewer that are affordable to the poor. Most of these children require full time care for as long as they live. The burden of care therefore most often falls on the mother or a close family member. Many of these mothers are single parents. One of the reasons for them being alone could be that they were rejected by their husband/partner and his family because of the stigma of giving birth to a child with a disability. They lead a very isolated existence. Full time care of a child makes it impossible for them to work. They rely on the Government disability grant which in 2021/2022 = ZAR 1890 (approximately US$ 125) per month. They are often refused access to public transport if their child is in a mobility device such as a buggy or wheelchair. Medical and rehabilitation services are limited, offered sporadically offered and difficult to access. Many caregivers have a limited understanding of their child’s condition and how to best help them. Therefore, many of these women is in great psychological distress and enduring emotional suffering because of the difficult circumstances they have to cope with on a daily basis, without a support system.