Ep 7: Talking about first experiences after a spinal cord injury

[@edgreen8140]

Thanks for the channel!

[@tonyhousden9208]

Great episode folks, refreshing to hear details on the day to day aspects of an SCI. So much commentary I find is focussed on folk who are 10-20 years post injury, Or involved in high end Paralympic and other sport, Or the issues of access etc. As someone only 4 years post injury with multiple issues and aged in my late 50’s the challenges are different but similar, so really good to hear this perspective of life sooner after obtaining and SCI.

[@edgreen8140]

1st spinal cord injury. Post injury the rehab, the way people treat you as a disabled person. It's a big change for people who are used to doing things for themselves. I decided to shave for the first time and i had a small mirror and sat on the stairs figuring i could pull myself up using the railing. Not to smart. I was stuck for a few hours and finally found a way to get up. It was the 90s so they gave pain meds. Things have gotten worse with new diagnoses and problems. The positive thing is i found out that life is a journey and things are not acomplished quickly. So i'm more aware and meditate a lot for pain. Im in the momment not thinking of the past or the future. Yes i went through a peroid of not wanting help the spine got inflammed and up to current it vwasn't a full break. It makes you be aware of things in the momment and people freak instead of asking you whats the story. You learn a lot of neurology over the time and you can tell who. (Dr's) does a good exam (neuro exam). You do find out who your real friends are. Some cannot deal with your disability. Some people are hospital phobic. Not realizing you have a cathater in and tell the nurse you need to go to the bathroom and they say just go you have a cath in. Try to keep you mood up. I also have a head injury so when i see the neurosurgery i joke and tell him i have the inability to recognize faces prosopognosia- he knows me well so he laughs. I see a lot of doctors. And joke with them when i see piles of oral contraception pills -il say to my family doctor "is this this ob gyn department. And he's laugh. I never tried sex in hospital. With neurological damage i develop deep pain because the nerves for the penis are connected to the nerves in the legs. And so the leg pain increases severely. So can't do that anymore.