Guiding others to hope

Before I started volunteering as a mental health counselor at the Center for Independent Living last August, I didn’t understand the emotional toll that a disability can take on a person. I knew that using a wheelchair or losing your hearing might pose practical challenges, but I didn’t grasp how they could undermine someone’s sense of self-worth.

Then I began working with a CIL client whose disability had triggered depression so severe that getting out of bed — not to mention leaving the house — was a tremendous struggle. This person felt completely isolated, and the lack of understanding from others made things even worse. Fortunately, this person sought out help to overcome depression.

Over several sessions we were able to help this client reframe their perspective and see life’s possibilities rather than their limitations. Slowly, the client built up the confidence to rebuild their social life — and their whole posture shifted toward one of renewed hope. As someone beginning a mental health counseling career, witnessing this client’s progress was validating.

There are as many variations on this story as there are individual clients — and disabilities aren’t always obvious to the eye. The current definition of a disability is, “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual.” That definition covers clients who are born deaf, but also those who lose their hearing in a work-related injury. For one CIL client, a childhood sports accident led to a lifelong health problem that ultimately stole his ability to walk. Each has to learn a way of living that’s markedly different from the majority of society. And there are almost as many different responses to living with a disability. Some clients develop coping tools on their own, while others need more support.

I can’t eliminate a client’s disability, but I can help them change how they think about it through cognitive behavioral therapy and reality therapy. They might feel powerless to go grocery shopping, when they’re capable of doing it with only a bit of assistance. We go through a process of defining their underlying thoughts, generating more positive thoughts and practicing these new modes of thinking. As the saying goes, thoughts lead to action. When clients feel in control of their own lives, they quickly begin living in more meaningful and productive ways. It starts small, but eventually they feel empowered to reach their goals — whether it’s getting a job, finding a permanent home or becoming more involved in the community.

For some of our clients, coming to CIL is their first experience with people who understand the nature of disabilities, who recognize their personal attributes and achievements, and who treat them with dignity and don’t overload them with unneeded sympathy. It’s deeply rewarding to be part of helping clients toward hope. Living with a disability doesn’t have to be debilitating. On the contrary, it can be the trigger for a meaningful journey of personal growth.

Alicia Duquette, who volunteers as a mental health counselor at the Center for Independent Living, is earning her master’s degree in counseling at Nova Southeastern University. Volunteers help achieve CIL’s mission of helping people with disabilities to achieve independence. CIL is seeking volunteers to fill several key roles. To learn more, visit cilorlando.org or call 407-623-1070.

The Center for Independent Living’s “Spring into Health” fair serves to increase disability awareness and sensitivity. During the event, attendees can take a hearing test to see if they qualify for free amplified telephones, speak with medical professionals to learn more about common health issues, and learn what resources are available to help people with disabilities live independently in their own homes. They event will be on Thursday, April 19, at the Center for Independent Living offices located at 720 N. Denning Drive in Winter Park from 2 to 6 p.m. It is free to attend.