Collaborative Autoethnography on Self-Acceptance Experiences of Counseling Undergraduate Students with Acquired Disabilities

Objectives This study focuses on the process of self-acceptance of people with disabilities. The purpose of this study is to explore the experience of accepting oneself after becoming disabled due to suicidal thoughts. Methods To this end, the autoethnographic research method was selected, and the researcher collected and analyzed diary data, thoughts, reflections, and conversations with co-researchers written since 2016. The data was analyzed based on emotional coding and described in a confessional writing style. Results The major categories were derived: ‘Life from non-disabled to disabled’, ‘Struggle process to recognize acquired disability’, and ‘Life growing up with acquired disability’. The researcher became disabled due to suicidal thoughts, and while studying counseling, he experienced accepting his own existence. And it was derived that the experience of self-acceptance expanded to experience expressing oneself and accepting others in relationships. Conclusions We hope that this study will help people with disabilities understand their experiences and that the data on their experiences of self-acceptance will be used meaningfully in various fields.