Rural Fathers’ Experiences of Loss in Day-to-day Life with Chronically Ill Children

The aim of this qualitative study was to gain insight into the experiences of fathers living with their chronically ill children in rural Australia. Data were collected via unstructured interviews with four fathers. Analysis followed the procedural steps for phenomenological data as outlined by Colaizzi (1978). Fathers described their experience of living with their chronically ill child as being filled with progressive losses for themselves and their child, including loss of: 1) pre-conceived expectations of future life; 2) a normal parenting relationship with their child; 3) normal partner relationship; and, 4) control of time and freedom. Findings contribute to knowledge and understanding of the complex nature of fathering a chronically ill child in rural Australia. INTRODUCTION Improvements in current medical treatments have extended the lifespan of children who suffer from chronic, progressive and life-threatening illnesses. Many of these children now live for an extended time with complex conditions (Martin and Nisa 1996). Chronic illness is characteristically defined as an illness, long in duration, progressive in nature and relatively incurable (Cohen 1999; Clawson 1996). Variables that impact on the experience of chronic illness are based on functional limitations, symptom prediction, threat to life and the need for external assistance (Stein and Silver 1999).