Why Stress Management and Connection Are Essential for People with Vision and Hearing Loss
/In a recent interview with Leader Dogs for the Blind Collaboration Event, Deb Marinos, MS, CRC, LPC Oregon shares both the critical need for ways to discharge the chronic stress of living with a disability and easy ways to release the emotions that arise. See recording here: Adaptability for Life LLC "Using mind body skills to reduce chronic stress"
Stress doesn’t always look like a crisis. For those living with changing vision or hearing loss, or both, stress is just part of everyday tasks. A simple life can be hard for anyone to achieve, yet sensory loss adds layers most people fail to recognize. There’s the constant pressure to prove you're able to live and do what others do. The frustration of having to explain how you get things done as if it is impossible or magical. The fatigue that comes from navigating systems that assume you can see or hear. Needing to do extra steps to access print or audio information.
Some especially annoying comments:
“Technology that talks makes blindness easy now.” Until it fails.
“You don’t look blind” Even totally blind people. What does that really mean?
How do you live alone?” Blindness does not need to be barrier. Training removes barriers.
“I can’t imagine how you do that job?” Educating the public is part of everyday.
“Let me help you” Even if you are fine and enjoy doing for yourself.
All these questions and many more, though often not meant to be harmful, combine to create irritation, discouragement, low self esteem, and exclusion. Better ways to gain information or offer help, is to first identify who you are, and first ask if help is needed. Be courteous and avoid unnecessary questions.
This chronic stress takes on the body and shows up as tightness in the jaw, tension in the shoulders, exhaustion, and a nervous system constantly on alert.
That’s why learning to manage stress isn’t a luxury. It’s a health intervention.
Mind-body skills offer quick, grounding techniques to interrupt stress before it becomes illness. One of the simplest is called the Soft Belly breath developed by Dr. James Gordon, founder of The Center for Mind Body Medicine.
Soft Belly is used at the beginning of every mind body skills group I lead. These groups run for 8 weeks and include 10 additional tools—movement, imagery, expression, quieting the mind—all taught in a supportive, confidential space with people who understand sensory loss. Because connection is part of healing too.
Continuing the Mission of Access and Understanding
Adaptability for Life’s cultural competence - ethics continuing education courses focus on helping psychologist, nurses, dentists, doctors, chiropractors, therapists, and other healthcare professionals and families better serve individuals with vision or hearing loss, blindness, deafness and combinations of sensor loss through culturally competent, practical, and engaging continuing education. These are approved by Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.
For those seeking to enhance their skills in communicating with those who have vision or hearing loss, consider enrolling.
2-Hour Cultural Competence CE: Effective Communication with Clients Who Are Hard of Hearing
4-Hour Cultural Competence and Ethics CE: Understanding the Diversity of Legal Blindness, Impacts & Solutions
6-Hour Cultural Competence and Ethics CE: Providing Culturally Competent Healthcare for Those Aging with Dual Sensory Impairments
Each course blends over 25 years of experience in rehabilitation counseling and disability services with lived insight and real-world examples. You’ll walk away with tools that help prevent social isolation, improve connection and communication, and foster hope—even in the face of progressive sensory loss.
What You’ll Gain
Strategies to prevent social isolation and despair
Tools to support clients experiencing progressive loss
Skills to improve communication and connection
Easy, low- or no-cost accessibility techniques
Real-world examples you can apply immediately
About the Instructor
Deb Marinos, MS, CRC, LPC, is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Oregon Licensed Professional Counselor, and CMBM Mind-Body Skills Group Facilitator. She brings decades of teaching experience with health care professionals and other working with individuals navigating sensory loss and disability. Her courses are designed to be interactive, helpful, and will give you more comfort in your work.
Take the Next Step
If you’re ready to strengthen your skills, deepen your empathy, and make your practice more inclusive—join Deb and Olaf on this journey.
👉 Explore the Cultural Competence & Ethics accredited continuing education courses and sign up today at Adaptability for Life
Adaptability for Life LLC
21887 SW Sherwood Blvd. STE C
Sherwood, OR 97140
deb@adaptabilityforlife.com