Setting a goal can give one purpose and the desire to better whatever situation they might be in that chapter of life. The Alan T. Foundation’s peer mentoring program has assisted many people who are affected by paralysis to accomplish goals in their life post-injury.
“Whatever the age, people have goals. A young child has a goal to make the soccer team; a teenager at his or her high school basketball team; a student wants to be admitted to the college of choice; a child or adult wants to learn to ride a bike; fix one’s own hair; take a bath by him or herself; skate; travel to and from a destination and arrive safely; drive; read; and use a computer. Some goals are blatantly visible and known and some are not.”
Paralysis brings a whole new set of realities to a person’s world. The adjustment period to a new lifestyle could take months or sometimes years. Alan T. Foundation states “everything has to be approached with patience and the reality of what can be. Personal motivation and determination is the driving force. Limited physical motion and the feelings of what has happened play a huge part in accomplishments and attaining goals.” Every goal whether small or large should be celebrated.
“And so, as tiny as a feat may seem, such as even a minuscule small movement of a finger that enables someone to push a button, it is acknowledged with joy before and after rehabilitation.”
Alan T. Foundation lists some achievable goals the organization has helped quadriplegics and paraplegics accomplish – such as accomplishing independent living skills, playing adaptive sports, and becoming a parent.