A spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is damaged, preventing messages from flowing to the brain. These messages relate to movement, touch, and feel. The location of the injury on the spinal cord will determine how much of the body is affected.
If an injury occurs to the middle of the back, it will generally affect the legs (paraplegia). An injury to the neck can affect the arms, chest, and legs (quadriplegia).
Living with a spinal cord injury isn’t easy at any stage of life. Here is a first-hand insight into people’s lived experiences with SCI.
Overcoming physical challenges
A spinal cord injury is life changing. Adapting to and living with it is a daily challenge.
“It feels embarrassing a lot of the time. It feels so degrading sometimes to have someone help me go to the bathroom and clean myself as well.” (Nico)
“I can’t go to bed by myself or when I feel like it. I need someone’s help and they’re on a timetable, it’s really limiting.” (u/Dazonic)
Overcoming mental challenges
Adapting to life with a spinal cord injury can be as tough mentally as it is physically. It’s common for sufferers to feel sad or angry.
“I was extremely depressed for the whole time I was in the hospital and then the rehab center. I am doing a lot better mentally now, but I still have my bad days.” (Nico)
“Five months later I’m doing many of those things that I told myself would never happen. Just take on each day and keep your head up, you are your own worst enemy and this fight is 80% mental. You have to have a positive attitude or you’re just going to hold yourself back.” (u/MysteryFro)
How others view you
When you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury, people often view you differently. Going out can feel overwhelming.
“But a lot of people no matter what age seem to stare at me for long uncomfortable periods of time, and it makes me feel embarassed and extremely self conscious.” (u/LegsNoGo420)
Sense of loss
Sufferers experience a huge sense of loss and grieve for the things they can no longer do.
“I miss riding a fair bit. I lived and breathed bikes. Worked as a bike mechanic/sales guy, loved it. Rode bikes and dug trails if I wasn’t at work.
“I can eat all foods, but I’ve kinda lost my appetite a bit because I can’t feel my stomach, I can’t really feel hungry and full. When I’m full it pushes on my diaphragm and makes it a bit harder to breathe, there’s no satisfaction after a big meal, I miss that.
“If I had full feeling and mobility for a day I reckon I’d spend it hugging the people who help me out. I miss having big hugs. People hug me now I can’t really feel it, and can only hug back with the side of my face, it’s not the same.” (u/Dazonic)
Seeking connections can help
Talking with family and friends, finding a support group, or connecting with others online can help people feel connected and stay positive.
“Getting to know people born with disabilities, with chronic illness, progressive conditions, and so on has really helped me see disability in a new light; not as something horrible that happened to me, but as a neutral human trait that can make life harder when the world doesn’t adapt.” (u/LegsNoGo420)
Connection doesn’t always come easy
When someone suffers with a spinal cord injury, their friendships and relationships can be affected.
“I have been pretty lonely since my injury. Most of my friends acted (and still act) incredibly awkward around me and still are having trouble getting used to being around me and helping me out when I need it.” (u/LegsNoGo420)
Overcoming adversity – finding pleasure in other things
Having a spinal cord injury changes some things forever, but you can still have a full and rewarding life.
“I have earned a B.S. and a Ph.D. since my injury. Now I work and I’m no longer government support for my daily personal care needs and other medical costs.
My everyday life doesn’t focus on the fact that I am disabled/handicapped/crippled/invalid. Like many people in similar situations, I strive to live a normal life, and I appreciate every opportunity to show that people with spinal cord injuries are average blokes” (u/SgtDoakesLives)
“You’ll find new things to enjoy and as you get stronger you’ll get some independence back. I live by myself now and even have a dog, something didn’t know was going to be possible with my limited hand function on top of paralyzed legs.” (u/LegsNoGo420)
For those impacted by spinal cord injuries, there are many avenues for local and online support, including the SCI community on Reddit. Unidex Healthcare also provides a range of supports for people living with disability or injury in Australia, and can be contacted on (07) 5699 0960
Author – Unidex Healthcare
