A spinal cord injury changes your life in an instant. Thomas, a C5-6 quadriplegic knows this all too well. He was injured in 2012 when he dove off a pontoon boat. In the years since his injury, Thomas has become involved in spinal cord injury research, and spends his free time playing quad rugby. He wants to help others living with paralysis by offering these four tips for moving forward and improving life after a SCI.
Seek Out Others Like You
“Starting a life with this injury is terrifying, but you are not the 1st person to do so,” shares Thomas. And even though you may not initially want to, and it may be a difficult first step to take, Thomas encourages others to enter the SCI community. From in-person support groups to online forums, there’s many others out there who can offer advice and support.
Experience is priceless, reach out and listen to those who have been through it to get a jump start on getting your life back.
Make an Effort to Find Quality Help
Many people with spinal cord injuries require some level of help with daily activities. Some insurances or social programs provide some coverage for PCAs (Personal Care Assistants). You can also find a PCA on your own through agencies or even just word of mouth. There’s no doubt that finding competent, reliable, and caring individuals who provide high quality care can be a challenge. “Finding and keeping good help is a much larger issue than this single bullet point, just know it is worth the extra effort to vet a quality employee than accept the first candidate a PCA company sends you,” advises Thomas.
Be Your Own Advocate
You know your own situation and needs better than anyone, so it’s up to you to be your own advocate. Of course there’s people out there whose job it is to help, but you often have to be the one to “get the ball rolling,” so to speak. “There are countless resources and programs designed to help those with a SCI,” says Thomas. “Be it state and federal financial assistance, student loan forgiveness, or a local group buying you an adaptive car.” Begin reaching out to individuals and organizations to help move you in a positive direction!
Take Care of Yourself
Taking care of your health as best you can is essential to moving forward. “Fitness is critical and possible for all levels of function,” says Thomas. He encourages everyone living with paralysis to engage in some type of fitness to keep you in your best possible health. Maintaining good health helps keep you prepared for whatever life may throw your way!