The Essential Role of Spirituality in Living with an Acquired Physical Disability

Using essentialist portraiture, this study explored the essential role of spirituality in the lives of four participants with an acquired physical disability. Participants' experiences of their spirituality in living with disabilities, their spiritual awareness, expressions, and realizations were presented in the individual portraits. Two common aspects regarding the role of participants' spirituality in living with disabilities were revealed. First, participants' spirituality was expanded and deepened after acquiring a disability. Second, the four participants transcended their disabilities. Rather than viewing their disabilities as losses and tragedies, they used them as excellent opportunities for spiritual elevation. The implications for the field of special education and practitioners were also discussed.