Making friends is one of the greatest joys of life, but friendships can get complicated after a spinal cord injury. You may end up losing some friends in the process.
But while friendships may change, many people make new connections after their injuries which can lead to some of the most cherished friendships of their lives.
Read on to learn how to make friends and have an active social life after a spinal cord injury.
Your Social Life May Change, and That's OK
No one tells you that when you have a spinal cord injury, you may lose some friends due to your injury.
This can be difficult for many people to experience, with many questioning how they can get their friendship "back to normal,” but this is not always possible after something as traumatic and changing, as a spinal cord injury.
Some understand a friend's decision to fall by the wayside. Meanwhile, others get frustrated, and wish their friends would be ok with the "new them".
All of this can get quite complicated. You'll often see some people find new friendships with others who also have spinal cord injuries/other disabilities since they can relate to each other.
And while some friends can be great after an injury, some find it too difficult to relate.
We urge you not to get depressed if this occurs. Instead, look at it as an opportunity to meet new people.
Focus on Friends Who Focus On You
Many times you find yourself doing all the work to plan and invite friends to spend time together. If this is happening to you, talk to your friends about how you feel.
If your friends aren't willing to accommodate your injury, it's ok to say goodbye to certain friendships so you can welcome new people into your life.
Remember, the friends who stick around after your injury are the ones who care and matter most.
Make New Connections
If you are an introvert this may be difficult, but one of the best ways to maintain an active social life after a spinal cord injury is to make new connections in places.
New connections and friends you meet after a spinal cord injury can be good because they didn't know you pre-injury. They won't be sad when seeing you and won't compare you to the "old you".
Making new connections works great in many places - workout facilities, bars/and coffee shops that you go to on a regular basis, sports games, community events, local theater, and even political events that you might find yourself aligned to.
This world is a big place and there are always people to meet if you're willing to put yourself out there.
You might be surprised as to how many people simply don't care about your disability and want to be your friend.
Join a Peer Support Group
Some love having an active social life with other people with spinal cord injuries/disabilities as they can relate to each other.
One of the best ways to make connections with other people with spinal cord injuries, other than making connections while you're still in the hospital or in rehabilitation, is to join a spinal cord injury peer support group.
These support groups can be found all across the country and many of them meet virtually, which means you can join in on the conversation and make new friends no matter where you are.
And there are great places to look online to find a spinal cord injury peer support group near you. We have a list of peer support groups for people with spinal cord injuries.
Remember, you do not need to find one near you if you plan on meeting virtually. Many of the peer support groups that meet virtually will let anyone with a spinal cord injury join in on the conversation no matter where they're located.
Get Involved in Adaptive Sports
Sports have always been a good way to meet people, and it is the same with adaptive sports.
Adaptive sports may seem like the last thing you want to do after a spinal cord injury, but many say they are so glad they gave it a shot.
Adaptive sports can be surprising. They are more competitive and adrenaline-fueled than most think, and if you were an athletic person before your injury, you'll find your tribe in this world.
There are many adaptive sports that are popular including wheelchair versions of rugby, basketball, surfing, and golf.
You should also check out WCMX (adaptive skateboarding), sit-skiing, and adaptive water-skiing. Recently adaptive mountain biking is growing in popularity.
If you want to try one of these sports, contact the closest regional program near you.
To find a specific adaptive sports contact in your area, we recommend searching on MoveUnited.org.
Click here to find more information on adaptive sports in your area: https://moveunitedsport.org/sports/adaptive-sports/
Make Friends at Work
Making friends at work can sometimes lead to some of the best friendships of your life.
These are typically people you spend a lot of time with and they’re people you can relate to, that is why these friendships can be so strong.
Just be careful not to over-share in the beginning and keep things professional until you establish a strong relationship as friends outside of work.
Join a Hobby Community
If you're interested in a hobby like comic books, movies, video games, art, or board games, then we highly suggest looking for local groups to join.
If you're able to travel, consider attending nearby conventions and events to meet new people.
People in hobby communities are often very welcoming and inclusive, so it's a great way for people with disabilities to make friends who share their hobbies and interests.
Go to Live Music Events
There's always a jovial mood whenever you go to a live show/concert of the rock, pop, reggae, country, techno, or rap genres.
Many individuals with SCI say they've had the time of their lives at these types of events because the mood of the people is so welcoming.
We highly encourage you to try this out if you enjoy live music and wouldn't mind making some new friends at either a concert or music festival.
