Eye Contact serves a crucial role in the domain of the ALS nonverbal goodbye. Lou Gehrig’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord (1). As the disease progresses, patients often find themselves robbed of their physical capabilities, making communication increasingly difficult. While speech may be taken away, eye contact remains a powerful pathway for expressing emotion, communicating needs, and facilitating heartfelt goodbyes.
The Power of Eye Contact in ALS Nonverbal Goodbye
Eye contact is one of the most primal forms of human communication. Long before languages developed, our ancestors used their eyes to express fear, anger, love, and surprise. In the context of an ALS nonverbal goodbye, eye contact retains its primitive power, becoming a conduit through which individuals can say what words no longer can.
Research shows that people can communicate a range of emotions — from happiness to sadness, from fear to surprise — just using their eyes (2). With ALS patients, where verbal communication may be significantly impaired, eye contact becomes particularly important. It becomes the window through which they express their feelings of love, gratitude, and even their farewells.
A single look can convey what a thousand words cannot. As Margery Williams famously wrote in her beloved children’s book, “The Velveteen Rabbit,” “real isn’t how you are made. It’s a thing that happens to you when a child loves you for a long, long time… It doesn’t happen all at once. You become. It takes a long time” (3). Just like the soft-spoken, heart-tugging wisdom in “The Velveteen Rabbit,” the language of the eyes is sincere, profound, and powerful.
The Therapeutic Benefits of Eye Contact
Eye contact offers a lifeline to those with ALS, enabling emotional communication, and fostering a sense of connection even when speech has been lost (4). Caregivers and loved ones should take full advantage of this simple yet profound tool to maintain connections, express their feelings, and offer the reassurance of their presence. Remember, your gaze can envelop them in a comforting slient hug, offer solace, and even help reassure them during challenging times.
In their study, “Eye contact is a two-way street: Arousal is elicited by the sending and receiving of eye gaze information,” researchers found that mutual eye contact can also reduce stress and decrease feelings of isolation (5). For a person living with ALS, such moments of connection can provide immense relief and comfort.
Communicating a Goodbye Nonverbally
Nonverbal communication is often more powerful and true than words, especially when words are no longer available. When it comes to an ALS nonverbal goodbye, remember to express your love and gratitude through your gaze. Look into your loved one’s eyes with sincerity and compassion, allowing your emotions to shine through. It’s vital to remember that your gaze has the power to provide comfort, love, and the reassurance of your presence to your loved one during this difficult time.
The ALS nonverbal goodbye is an arduous journey, but embracing the power of eye contact will aid this journey, helping to deepen connections and communicate emotions beyond the capacity of words. It allows for both the ALS patient and their caregivers to say farewell in a profound, heartfelt manner.
Working with ALS patients and experiencing the power of an ALS nonverbal goodbye is challenging, yet profound. If you are dealing with an ALS case or have questions about Real Water, please feel free to reach out to us. You can visit our contact page for further information. For more articles, explore our blog page. Alternatively, you can also call us directly on 702-385-6000. We are here to assist you on this challenging journey.
Sources:
1. What is ALS? | ALS Association
2. The eyes as a window to our emotions | Psychology Today
3. The Velveteen Rabbit| Goodreads
4. Importance Of Eye Contact During Palliative Care Conversations | Journal of General Internal Medicine
5. Eye contact is a two-way street: Arousal is elicited by the sending and receiving of eye gaze information | Science Direct