Building Resilience After a Disability

Written By:

Jessica Lohnberg, Ph.D., Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow

Laura Peters, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist, WBRC

Photo: A windswept tree growing out of a crevice in some rocks.

When people are faced with a disability, such as sight loss, it is common to experience a variety of emotions.  People report feeling shock, depression, anger, and eventually move toward acceptance and coping.   So, why are some people able to bounce back from adversity fairly quickly, while others suffer for extended periods of time and may get stuck?

Resilience means being able to “roll with the punches” and adapt to life’s hardships.  People who are resilient experience the same emotions everyone else does, they are just able to keep functioning and get back to baseline more quickly.  People who are resilient are better able to adjust, adapt, and normalize their lives in spite of the their disability.  Some people even notice positive changes that come from dealing with a disability.  For example, some people report their relationships have become closer and stronger; others report that out of hardship, they have learned what is important in life and may re-prioritize what they are doing; some have developed a stronger sense of spirituality

Here are some tips to increase resiliency:

1.  Get connected with others:  Those with strong positive relationships with others weather adversity better than those who are isolated.

2.  Make every day meaningful:  Find something that gives you a sense of accomplishment and purpose every day.  Set short and long term goals for yourself.

3.  Take care of yourself both physically and emotionally by doing things you enjoy; physical exercise daily; get plenty of sleep and rest; eat healthy foods; find ways to relax through music, deep breathing, meditation or prayer.

4.  Learn from experience:  Think of how you have dealt with difficulties in the past:  What has worked and what hasn’t helped.  Try to rely on the strategies that have worked well for you as you respond to life’s current challenges.

5.  Be proactive:  Those who are resilient don’t avoid their problems, they problem solve, figure out what needs to be done, make a plan and take action.  People who cope actively fare much better than those who avoid.

6.  Maintain a sense of hope:  Remind yourself you cannot change the past, but you can use what you have learned in the past as you look toward the future.  By anticipating changes and planning for them you will be better able to meet the challenge when it comes.

WBRC's Dr. Gregory Goodrich Recognized Internationally

Photograph of Dr. Goodrich accepting the 'Tiresias' Award at the

2011 ISLRR 10th Annual International Low Vision Conference

Dr. Gregory Goodrich, Supervisory Research Psychologist and Optometric Research Fellowship Coordinator, received the 'Tiresias' award from the International Society for Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation (ISLRR). The award was presented in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during the 10th International Low Vision Conference. The award, the first time it was given, recognized Dr. Goodrich’s major role in the development of the field of rehabilitation and research on visual impairment.

The award will be given every three years and is named after the mythical character Tiresias, who was blinded by Hera. To compensate him for his loss of vision, Zeus gave him the gift of prophecy. Tiresias is mentioned in the Odyssey, when Odysseus was sent to the underworld to consult him. All in all, an interesting bit of mythology is attributed to him.

Dr. Gregory Goodrich is also the recipient of the 2009 Olin E. Teague Award, a national award that recognizes contributions in an area of utmost importance to VA’s mission: the rehabilitation and improvement in the quality of life of war-injured Veterans. He received the award in conjunction with Dr. Glenn Cockerham, for their ground-breaking efforts in the care of Veterans injured in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Healthy Cognitive Aging

Merideth Smith, M.S.
Geropsychology Intern

Carey Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Neurorehabilitation Psychologist

“Senior moments” and “old dogs can’t learn new tricks” are two myths that strike fear in the hearts of many aging adults. However, severe cognitive impairment like Alzheimer’s disease is not part of the normal aging process. In fact “old dogs” can indeed learn new tricks to slow down cognitive decline. We’ll talk about normal memory changes and how someone can slow down these changes.


What are normal memory changes?

Although dementia is not a normal part of aging, there are changes in cognitive functioning that occur with age. The ability to process and respond to information decreases as you age, which can make it harder to multi-task. Different types of memory, like your ability to keep information in your mind for short periods of time and your ability to remember to do something in the future, show declines with age. Older adults may experience difficulty recalling names of people or finding the correct word to use, often called a “tip of the tongue” experience. However, the ability to recall previously learned information and episodes in your life typically remains stable after reaching adulthood, only showing small declines with age.

How can I improve my memory (or at least slow down the cognitive aging process)?

Adults who have learned techniques to compensate for memory issues (like using reminder notes or calendars) can maintain good memory functioning. Additionally, cognitive benefits have been shown for those who have adopted healthy activities such as cognitive training, mental stimulation, social interaction, managing stress, health behaviors, and exercise:
• Formal cognitive training can include learning techniques for improving memory like creating a word using the first letters of the information you need to remember. Training can also focus on increasing your speed in responding to information or shifting attention more fluidly when engaging in multiple tasks.
• Mentally stimulating activities like taking a class, playing chess, reading, or traveling can also positively impact cognitive functioning. Remaining socially active and having positive social relationships promotes good cognitive health.
• High levels of stress are related to difficulties concentrating and recalling information as well as higher rates of dementia. Conversely, decreasing your level of stress and negative emotions is related to slowing cognitive decline and decreasing the risk for serious cognitive impairments like Alzheimer’s disease. Utilizing strategies to manage stress (such as breathing techniques, yoga, meditation, asking for help when needed, etc.) has been shown to increase focus and help improve the ability to respond to various day-to-day demands.
• Aerobic exercise is important for your cognitive health and can prevent cognitive decline in older adults. A recent study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience found that even simple exercise (such as walking 45 minutes a day three times a week) can improve memory, decision-making, and other cognitive functions.
• Other health behaviors like proper nutrition, not smoking, and decreasing the risk behaviors related to diabetes, strokes, and hypertension can also help preserve cognitive functioning. What is good for the body is good for the brain!