Counseling the Disabled

Mr Dudley though blind did not show awkwardness common to the blind. That I mean though he walked hesitantly due to unfamiliarity of the environment, his demeanor, mannerism, composure and persona was as natural as a normal person. Hiding behind a pair of matching sun-glasses, he even looked rather charming with his smile which he generously gave from time to time. He was very involved and engaged with the class, no trace of loss-ness. The tone of his voice was calming, reassuring and inviting… It made me feel like he was giving me 100% attention when he addressed me.

Mr Dudley presented himself THE counselor one needs to be when counseling anyone, the disabled included.

‘It is the negative attitude that makes a disabled person handicapped.’ - there is just so much truth in this statement of Mr Dudley. I counseled a new client yesterday. Only 50% of her physical body is functioning due to a brain surgery that had damaged some nerves. Through out the session, she portrayed herself as one who is capable of overcoming setback and wants to move on in life. However, the negative attitude of her significant others (her beloved mother included) has made her feel truly handicapped.

According to Mr Dudley, counseling is a FEELING discipline. It calls for the counselor to be sensory aware, to remain positive and provide non-possessive warmth.

On the practical front, when counseling a disabled, we are not to touch a walking stick or wheelchair belonging to the latter. These things have become an extension of the patient. Touching their aids amounts to touching them.

Our posture when talking to the client is important too. It is ideal to sit at eye-to-eye level. Standing up and talk to the patient makes one looks imposing or intimidating.

Mr Dudley ended the session with a skit written by him and read out by some of us in class. It was about a blind man’s struggle to come to term with his sudden blindness. We understood better as we analyzed how the social worker in the story could have improved on her therapeutic approach towards the blind man. I realized too the significant roles played by the significant others in the life of a blind person. I think Mr Dudley had used a powerful tool in sharing valid and essential points in counseling the disabled.