Knowing how to cope with life after an accident, resulting in spinal cord injury, can be difficult at the best of times. It is to be expected that you may experience a tidal wave of emotions, concerns and thoughts about your life now. Although everybody will respond differently, it is natural to go through emotions of denial, anger, grievance and finally acceptance.
How and when people experience these emotions may differ, but reaching acceptance of your spinal cord injury is usually the last milestone to reach. To become more open to acceptance, one may go through a period of grieving first. The process of grieving for an old life and an old you is natural, and for some people, it is even imperative in order to reach a level of acceptance and willingness to move forward in life.
Support Process
There is no magic coping strategy or 'one size fits all' support network. Everybody will reach acceptance and recovery in their own time and at their own pace. But to help you along, there are many support forums and websites at your disposal.
Having concerns about what your future will bring is also natural. Common questions include:
- How will I cope with this injury?
- How will it impact my family?
- What does my injury mean for my future?
Experiencing a spinal cord injury is something that can affect your entire social circle, and can add tension to relationships. Both the best and the worst qualities of a support system can be drawn out during difficult times such as these.
While these emotions and concerns are an important part of your coping strategy towards acceptance, it is of equal importance to attempt to take control of your life as far as is possible.
Connect with Others
Reach out to people who have similar experiences and have excelled in recovery, as they may have invaluable guidance. Educate yourself about your spinal cord injury which will in turn make you feel more in control; a precursor to reaching acceptance.
For more information about where to connect with other survivors and their families, check out our list of spinal cord injury support forums.
