Gradual loss of vision and performing the role of father

Performing social roles, including family-related ones, by people with visual impairment is associated with experiencing various types of difficulties It is basically a consequence of the socially established negative image of these people who areperceived as not fully competent and requiring assistance. Previous few studies devoted to the motherhood of blind and partially sighted women indicate relatively frequent reactions of their social environment expressing the belief that a visually impaired woman is not able to perform her role as a wife and mother in a proper way. The psychosocial situation of fathers with visual impairment is rarely analysed in research activities, and knowledge of the relationship between gradual loss of vision and experience of fatherhood is relatively poor. The aim of the article is to present the results of a qualitative study focused on learning the subjective experience of performing the role of a parent by a man with progressive vision loss. In the biographical study of an individual case, the narrative interview technique was used, and the analysis of the collected material was referred to such spheres of experiencing fatherhood as: the concept of role, sources of satisfaction and positive experience related to the role, perceived relationships between the way of performing the role and progressive impairment.