Managing Life After a Spinal Cord Injury

Person in wheelchair playing adaptive basketball

A spinal cord injury can be an incredibly life-altering event. Many aspects of your everyday life will change, from your physical abilities to your sense of independence. Managing life after a spinal cord injury can be overwhelming, bringing up many new challenges and taking a toll on your mental health. While you may feel alone and like no one quite understands what you are going through, know that you are not the only one. With the best strategies and a strong support system, you can rebuild your confidence, invigorate your sense of purpose, and improve your overall quality of life. To help you navigate your life after a spinal cord injury, take a look at these strategies and tips —

Prioritize Your Health, Both Physical and Mental

Managing your Spinal cord injury (SCI) can make it feel like you don’t have time or energy for anything else in your life, especially if it is recent. During these times, you may neglect your health outside of treating your SCI. Whether it be your diet, your exercise, your sleep, your social engagements, or anything else, not tending to your physical and mental health can become a larger issue, even making managing your SCI more difficult. Taking time each day to check in with yourself about your health—to have a good meal, move around a bit, speak with a friend or family member, or do something that makes you happy—can serve as a great break in your day and help you function better in your new normal. 

Adapt Your Environment

Your home should be your safe place where you do not have to worry about accessibility or any other issue that could arise due to your SCI. Now that elements of your life have changed, it is time for aspects of your home to change, too. Are you using a wheelchair or mobility aid to help navigate your hallways? Do you need help getting in and out of the shower or bed? Are your kitchen counters or tables at a height that no longer works for you? Then, it is time to change some things. Look around your home and note everything that may pose an accessibility issue. Consider rearranging furniture for wider pathways, lowering your counters, installing grab bars and seats, and anything else that may help you. At home, your environment needs to adapt to you, not vice versa. Check out our blog, Budget- Friendly DIY Accessibility Projects for some simple ideas you can implement. 

Find Ways to Stay Active and Engaged 

After sustaining an SCI, many individuals feel that the life and activities they enjoyed before their injury are no longer accessible to them. This can become Managing life after a spinal cord injury can include adaptive sports like basketball. extremely isolating, eventually taking a toll on both your physical and mental health. A great way to combat this is to search for things that help you to stay active and engaged. For example, suppose you played sports before your injury. In that case, there are many opportunities to engage in adaptive sports, which not only help you stay active but also introduce you to a community of others who have been through the same challenges. If there is any activity or hobby you have always wanted to try, starting this can be a wonderful way to enjoy your time and engage in something you love. 

Build a Strong Support System

While there are many things you can do to help yourself manage your SCI, having a strong and reliable support system is perhaps the most important. As we have said, you are not alone, and your support system can be a great tool for reminding yourself. Your support system can be made up of family members, friends, your professional care team, and communities of other individuals with SCI. This system can help you in a number of ways, whether it be your home modification, going to your appointments with you, providing mobility support and safety, being a loving and supportive source to confide in, and so much more. Having a variety of people from different parts of your life in your support system can help you feel secure and loved from all sides, which can be a major help in both managing your SCI and living the life you want. 

Managing a spinal cord injury can be tough, but you are tougher. Since your life has changed after your injury, finding your new normal, taking care of yourself, and getting back to the things that matter most should be your top priorities. This process may feel isolating, difficult, or even hopeless at times, but we promise that you are not alone and there is always help. Delta Center is proud to be able to be a part of this journey for individuals with spinal cord injuries. Our Endeavor Program was created specifically for folks with SCI to help them adjust to the changes in their lives, find community, and gain independence. One of the most rewarding features of this extensive Program is peer mentoring, where you will be matched with someone who has experienced the same things you are going through to help you adapt and overcome your current challenges. Look at the Program’s webpage here for a full explanation of the Endeavor Program and all it could do for you. We are here to help you find your independence, no matter what circumstances your SCI puts you in.