Feb 9 β€’ 09:12 UTC πŸ‡°πŸ‡· Korea Hankyoreh (KR)

"Not Seeing the Face of the Client - Visual Impairment is a Strength in Counseling"

Kim Hyun-young, a visually impaired psychotherapist and former ballerina, discusses how her disability enhances her counseling practice.

Kim Hyun-young, a visually impaired psychotherapist and former ballerina, has carved out a meaningful career by embracing her unique perspectives as a person with visual impairment. After being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa and eventually losing her sight in her mid-40s, Kim faced significant challenges that led her to reconsider her life path. She moved to Daejeon, where she founded a college focused on independent living for disabled individuals and started her own counseling practice to empower and encourage those with disabilities.

Kim's journey began with a passion for ballet, which she pursued through her education and professional endeavors until her deteriorating vision forced her to pivot. Despite early despair and feelings of uselessness after losing her ability to dance, she found strength in her experience and transformed her challenges into a resource for her clients. Her story highlights the resilience of the human spirit and underscores the importance of understanding how different perspectives can provide invaluable insights into the lives of those she counsels.

Through the establishment of her counseling service, Kim not only seeks to assist her clients but also raises awareness about the capabilities of individuals with disabilities. By sharing her own journey, she aims to inspire others to embrace their situations and recognize their intrinsic worth. Kim's work stands as a testament to the power of determination and the belief that one’s limitations can also become strengths, showcasing the profound impact of empathy in therapeutic settings.

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