The first problem faced by the parent of a hurt child is to discover just what it is that their child is, or has. Whether the child's problem is discovered at birth, or a week, a month, or years after birth, or even if the problem is created by some trauma such as an automobile accident during the teenage years, the problem of discovering exactly what has happened is immense for most parents.
Most people are extremely ignorant in regards to hurt children.
As traumatic as the discovery that you have a hurt child is, the lack of information intensifies that trauma all the more. The family physician who helped you through your last case of the flu, or who correctly diagnosed your neighbor's heart condition often disappoints you in regards to your hurt child. He frequently cannot even tell you what is wrong with your child, let alone what to do about it. All too often his suggestion is to institutionalize the child as soon as possible. Doctors commonly wish that the problem would simply go away.