How not to offend people with facial injuries and limb amputations with words, facial expressions or looks: tips

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In public places, Ukrainians often meet people with facial injuries or limb amputations.

“A feeling of fear, shame, and then – the guilt and regret that sometimes arise within us in doing so are natural.

To avoid focusing on the trauma, we may look away or avoid contact altogether. But this offends a person, because such a reaction forces him to feel different, even unworthy of attention and communication. It hurts and does not contribute at all to adaptation in society after receiving an injury.” – the ministry notes.

How to deal with people with limb amputations and facial injuries?

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• Be human. Trauma does not define a person. This is only part of her experience.

“Everyone identifies himself not only by his appearance, but also by his own activities, talents, successes, dreams, values ​​and victories. We must learn to see not only a disfigured face, but also a person as a whole.” – say the Ministry of Health.

• Be respectful of her personal boundaries. Don’t try to help without first asking the person if they need help. Do not touch a person without their permission.

• Be empathetic. Empathy is not the same as compassion. It also means awareness of one’s own emotions.

“Analyze what you feel when communicating with a person who has facial injuries. For example, thoughts that a person is unhappy because they have an injury cause pity. But the more we learn about this person, the more we realize that pity is inappropriate”, – experts say.

• Be sincere. It is normal to admit that you feel awkward in communication because you do not have such experience.

“And also – to explain that this communication is important for you, and therefore, a discussion of common rules of communication and interaction can help.” – they write in the Ministry of Health.

• Do not avoid communication and do not look away.

“Yes, we sometimes instinctively try to turn away from something that seems scary or incomprehensible (unknown). But avoidance can make people with trauma feel unpleasant and unworthy, and therefore isolate themselves from the social environment. It also hinders integration into society after the trauma. “, – the ministry explains.

They also draw attention to the fact that due to impaired muscle function due to trauma, a person’s facial expression may appear angry, indifferent, sad, contemptuous, or even aggressive.

• Pay attention to words and body language – they can also tell the state of the interlocutor.

“Feeling connected to others and having social support are very important in healing from trauma. So be open to people.

Remember that some things, such as talking, eating, being able to hear or see, may be difficult for them. Adapt your interaction to the capabilities of such a person by first asking about their needs.” – summarized in the department.