Facing ALS Nonverbal Goodbye
Living through ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, presents one of the most exacting journeys a person can ever experience. However, there’s a unique aspect of this life-altering condition that comes to the forefront during the talks around it. This aspect involves the ALS nonverbal goodbye bolstered by emotional eye contact. This mode of heartfelt farewell comes across as an alternative pathway to communicate and express emotions when verbal speech becomes impossible or challenging due to the disease’s progression.
The Implications of Eye Contact in ALS
Eye contact constitutes an integral part of human communication. Although generally taken for granted, eye contact signals intent, transmits emotions, and can bridge gaps when words fail us. More importantly, for ALS patients and their loved ones, emotional eye contact serves as an alternate route to express emotions, fostering a deeper, nonverbal aisle of communication.
A study published in the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior reveals people tend to read emotions more accurately when given in the eyes. Eye contact can range from conveying happiness, sadness, surprise, or complex states of mind (1). For ALS patients, this expands to involve a language of its own: it is in the slow blink, the determined gaze, the faint glimmer of a smile radiating through the eyes, the pools of tears, or the intent, endless staring. In essence, eye contact for ALS patients serves as a conduit delivering a range of emotions, straight from the heart.
ALS and Nonverbal Goodbye: The Farewell in Silence
Every goodbye comes with a slew of emotions; however, getting to bid farewell without the liberty of words can be incredibly challenging. In such cases, the ALS nonverbal goodbye and the emotional eye contact that accompanies it come into play. This emotional farewell type isn’t necessarily about parting ways permanently. In fact, it’s more about an ongoing communication stream, forging bonds and maintaining connections when other means become impossible.
Individuals dealing with such situations lean on technology and wordless signals to convey their emotions. They use tools such as eye-gaze devices, software, and even communicating through blinking patterns to communicate (2). Moreover, they derive detailed communication from the nuances found in the eyes- a tear expressing sadness, or widened eyes signaling surprise.
The Power of Emotional Eye Contact in ALS
Human emotions are incredibly powerful and can indomitably shine through, despite the barriers in verbal communication. In the ALS community, emotional eye contact paints a clearer picture, illuminating the feelings locked inside the patient’s mind. A simple look or tear can speak volumes about what the patient feels, intending to surpass any spoken interaction.
Eye contact is not just a one-way mirror; it helps each participant transmit and perceive emotions. It can inspire connection, comprehension, and empathy. This can help not only the patient, but also the caregivers, family, and friends involved in providing support and aid.
In Conclusion
Eye contact provides a portal into emotional states in the absence of words. It’s key in reshaping the ALS narrative by offering a distinct way of conveying emotions without the need for spoken words. The ALS nonverbal goodbye can transport untold emotions and unspoken thoughts, serving as a silent yet potent link to the world around.
The emotional eye contact forms a silent language, a canvas where emotions point to strength, resilience, love, and the relentless human spirit in the face of adversity.
If you, or someone you know, are dealing with an ALS case and need to reach out regarding your unique situation, be sure to navigate over to the contact page on our site and get in touch! Want more informative articles? Head on over to our blog page, where we delve into a myriad of other related topics. To speak to a representative directly, do not hesitate to call us at “702-385-6000”.
References:
(1) Addington, J., & Addington, D. (2018). Facial Affect and Affective Prosody Recognition in First-Episode Psychosis. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 42(2), 205–221. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10919-017-0271-0
(2) Bieńkiewicz, M., Coleman, J., Given, J., & Robison, R. (2018). Eye-Gaze Controlled Interfaces in Assisted Living for People with ALS and Spinal Cord Injury. Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering, 5, 205566831876210. https://doi.org/10.1177/2055668318762103
