In India, especially in Kerala, people with disabilities are included in palliative care. I believe that disability is not an individual's responsibility or a family's responsibility, but our society's responsibility. It is the inaccessible environment and attitude of society which makes you disabled than your physical limitations. When you have a physical disability, you have to depend on a caregiver for many activities on a daily basis. Often you are controlled than supported in a family. You are loved and cared for but not given any freedom because of the fear of getting injured or sick. Individuals are expected to be happy and grateful for the help they receive. Without even realizing, you lose your individuality. It is quite natural for the parents to think that their child is an infant as they still bathe and feed him/her daily.
Palliative care can play a significant role here. Individuals need to be empowered to understand their rights and reach their full potential. Parents and caregivers should understand the concept of autonomy and difference between supporting and controlling. Society should provide a barrier-free environment and equal opportunities to people with disabilities. Kerala model of palliative care has already shown how community participation can facilitate removal of health-related suffering.
Our joy of success comes from our ability to take risks. What makes us most human is our ability to enjoy our successes by having the ability to own our own failures. When you infantize and control someone because he/she has a disability, you are denying them their fundamental right for autonomy and the joy of taking risks.