Christina Karamesines made a midlife career change seven years ago after losing most of her sight. In the process she found her calling. Upon graduation from the massage program at Merrillville Beauty College, a 650-hour massage course, she became its director. Now, six years later, she owns Muscle Therapy’s and More, a private practice in Michigan City, Indiana, where she practices massage and bio-energy therapy; works as an instructor at Merrillville; developed the Deep Muscle Therapy manual, a 300-hour advanced continuing-education course; and teaches workshops. A longtime pianist, five years ago Karamesines learned to play guitar and now composes her own music. In 2003 she founded Singing Sands Performing Arts, a nonprofit organization that provides musical opportunities for local youth. Karamesines, who demurely acknowledges that she is “over 40,” shares a home with her 15-month-old German shepherd, Violet Girl.

Why are you a massage therapist?
I enjoy helping people peel away the layers of dis-ease caused by emotional stress and pain.

What inspired you to do massage?
A car accident, which caused muscle trauma and a pinched nerve at C5, and head injuries, brought me to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. It was there that I was introduced to biofeedback and alternative-healing modalities.

What is your personal philosophy?
Think all good thoughts. We are what we think.

What is your greatest strength?
My positive attitude and energy.

What is your greatest weakness?
My father always said I was a Pollyanna and saw only the good in everyone and everything.

What are your personal goals?
To continue to express myself through music and other healing modalities.

What are your professional goals?
To promote my Deep Muscle Therapy manual and do workshops. Also, to expand Singing Sands Performing Arts into a national organization.

When are you most at peace?
When I’m singing and playing my guitar.

How does your visual impairment affect your massage practice?
It enhances my ability to incorporate intuition and touch into my practice.

What surprises people the most about you?
That I have a visual impairment. People don’t immediately realize that about me.

What surprises you?
I forget that other people don’t see with the same vision that I do.

What is your greatest motivation?
Appreciation for the opportunity to be of service.

What do you like most about massage?
Assisting people to heal.

What do you like least about massage?
The occasional client who is unable to release dis-ease.

What is the largest obstacle you have overcome?
Adjusting to visual impairment.

What was a turning point in your personal life?
As my vision decreased I realized that all I am comes from within. I have been blessed with a gift of a different kind of vision that I share with others through massage and music.