Discover how to live a fulfilling life after a spinal cord injury by embracing technology, pursuing education, finding passion in work, and maintaining independence.
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"It feels like life is passing me by" is a phrase a lot of people living with paralysis can relate to.
It's common for people who've sustained a spinal cord injury to put their lives on hold, often without even realizing it.
Others try to move forward but run into setbacks and obstacles because of the unexpected circumstances that come with a spinal cord injury.
However, many people with SCI have found ways to keep living fulfilling lives and making progress towards their life goals.
Here's some advice on how to overcome the challenges of living with a spinal cord injury and live a fulfilling life.
Embrace Assistive Technology & Accessibility Tools
You may feel like you're no longer able to fully participate in life after a spinal cord injury, but innovations in assistive technology constantly offer new ways for people with paralysis to do more.
For example, GlassOuse is a wireless head mouse worn like a pair of glasses that lets you operate a computer, phone, or tablet hands-free. Users can move the cursor on the screen by moving their head, and the bite switch or other input methods enable them to click, drag, and perform other actions.
GlassOuse has given many people with quadriplegia the ability to be more independent by helping them use computers and phones. And it's customizable so you can configure it for your specific needs.
Another adaptive tool for quadriplegics is QuadStick, a mouth-operated joystick that helps people with severe spinal cord injuries play video games.
QuadStick has even been used to play videogames competitively, a great example of how technology can help level the playing field for people with mobility limitations.
Get a Good Education
Whether or not you have a spinal cord injury, getting a good education is always a good idea, but since disability discrimination exists in the employment world, getting a degree is even more important after a spinal cord injury.
Whether it is a communications degree or an engineering degree, find a job field you're interested in and pursue it.
And having an advanced degree can help people with disabilities find even better employment, which can help you reach your life goals, such as traveling or purchasing a home.
Find a Job You Love
A job can be much more than a job; it can become a life passion. You might discover your artistic side and turn it into a career, like becoming a painter, speaker, author, or business owner.
Finding a career that feeds your soul is a great way to you feel on the right track, and as a result, feel less like you’re not where you want to be in your life because of your spinal cord injury.
Find Ways to Be Independent
After a spinal cord injury, your therapist will work hard to help you live as independently as possible so that you're prepared and capable if no one is around to help.
Finding ways to take care of yourself is empowering for many people with SCI. Learning new methods to do things on your own can help build your confidence and self-esteem.
Set up your home in ways that help you be more independent like storing food in places that you can easily reach. Seek out solutions like accessible cooking tools.
Some people with SCI feel "behind in life" for living with their parents or family, but remember that there's absolutely no shame in relying on help from others.
Don't let the stigma make you feel like you need to live on your own or shouldn't ask your family and friends for assistance.
Connect with a Local Independent Living Center
In every major city across the US you can find an independent living center. Independent living centers are an amazing resource for people with disabilities.
They offer a whole suite of assistance like helping you find accessible housing or a home health care agency that can connect you with caregivers.
They can also recommend local accessible transportation options that meet your needs.
The people who run independent living centers are often very in tune with disability advocacy and are dedicated to the live independently movement.
Hire Your Own Caregivers
If you have a high-level spinal cord injury, you may need a lot of help
Even if you need caregivers and feel as though you're not where you want to be physically in life, you can take charge of this aspect of life, meaning hiring your own caregivers, which will help you feel more in control and help with your mental health overall as someone living with a spinal cord injury long-term.
There is nothing worse than having a caregiver you do not like in your home. If you can have control of this aspect of life, you will feel much happier.
Practice Gratitude
It can be difficult, but learning how to have gratitude for your current situation can help you feel an overall sense of peace with where you are currently. Learning to appreciate the little things in life and what you have today (like shelter, housing, family, and friends) can make a huge impact on how you view your life and your mental health.
Be Open to Romance
Even if you cannot feel sex the way you used to, having a romantic relationship after a spinal cord injury can be a great thing. Falling in love and being in love are some of the greatest joys of life and should not be taken away because you have a spinal cord injury. People will say time and time again how love and romance bring a huge amount of happiness into their lives, and this is especially true when you live with a disability.
Mental Health & Confidence Building
Don't neglect your mental health after a spinal cord injury, especially if feel as if you are missing the mark for your life goals or feel you're falling behind your peers due to your injury. A good therapist can help you work on building up your confidence and help you develop a positive train of thought so that you can think about yourself in a positive manner.
Keep Pursuing Life Goals
From getting your driver's license and going to prom, to getting married and saving for retirement, all of these big life events can still happen after a spinal cord injury, no matter what level of injury you have. They can occur as long as you plan ahead, and yes it does take some extra work. Just know however that your life goals, and in essence your life path, can still unfold the way you were hoping post-injury.
