Dreams of people with moderate intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Dreams defined as a form of mental activity that focuses on fulfilling desires, aims, and plans regarding one’s life are a synthetic reflection of a human being’s past and presence, and his or her vision of the future. Exploring dreams has cognitive, ethical, and practical dimensions. It provides knowledge of a person’s inner life and the quality of his or her experiences. Analysis of the dreams of people with moderate intellectual disabilities expresses respect for their humanity. The findings of explorations regarding the dreams of this group of people can serve as a predictor in developing practical solutions to improve the quality of their lives. The paper presents information on the dreams of women with moderate intellectual disabilities. Their dreams refer to something that is beyond them – to the issues of self-esteem, independence, social response to disability, and the features of their situation in life. Their dreams show exclusion from the privilege of adulthood, that is – from independence. They show a strong bond between the women and their mothers, their desire to enhance their lives, and their aiming at stabilization and being among familiar, close people. Observations made in the study suggest the need for institutions that will replace motherly care in the future and will allow an enriched life.