Sustaining a spinal cord injury or SCI, is the quickest way to get a crash course in Neurology 101. However, recommendation wise, I would rate it as a zero out of ten, and it is not something I would endorse. Jokes aside, there is a lot to re-learn and to adapt to after a spinal cord injury. These are resources I wish I had when I was newly injured. It is also meant to educate others about living with a spinal cord injury and using a wheelchair.
Here are blog posts pertaining to navigating life with a spinal cord injury:
30 of the Best Accessories, Tools and Gadgets for Wheelchair Users
From adaptive tools, accessories and attachments for your chair. All that and more! I have your covered with my favourite recommendations.
Here’s a list of few things that were really useful to me after my injury and things that I use every day to make things easier. Hopefully they will be helpful to you or a loved one as well!
3D Printing Wheelchair Accessories
3D printing is one of the biggest paradigm shifts in our generation! Here are some cool wheelchair accessories that can be 3D printed.
From modular ramps, to cellphone holders, home decor and ways to pimp your ride.. plus much more!
Good Habits for Long-Term Health with a Spinal Cord Injury
Building strong habits is paramount to staying healthy with a spinal cord injury. Unfortunately, small problems can quickly turn into life threatening situations. Being proactive and taking preventative measures against secondary complications is essential to long term health. It may seem like a million things to remember and plan for in the beginning. It also may be physically and mentally exhausting as well. Some days it literally feels like a full time job. Be kind to yourself, and take things one step at a time. It will get easier and more automatic overtime. I promise.
Interesting Facts About Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is something you never really notice or think out until there is an abnormality or damage. Yet it is the part of the body that is responsible for controlling all of your conscious and unconscious bodily functions. It is the superhighway that connects the brain to the body and allows you to control your muscular and skeletal system. To put it plainly: it is the electrical wiring that allows you to pilot your meat suit through the world. Here’s some interesting facts about the spinal cord and spinal cord injuries. I hope you will gain a new appreciation for the spinal cord and all its miraculous intricacies!
Minor Annoyances of Wheelchair Life
Wheelie life comes with its own list of challenges.. Here’s my compilation of annoying things I have encountered over the last couple of years.
From forgetting to put shoes on, to dropping stuff on the floor, and let’s not forget: fighting your wheelchair friends for the accessible parking spaces when you are all going out to meet up.
Nerve Pain Remedies
Most people assume that the worst part of living with a spinal cord injury is using a wheelchair. Personally, I find the worst part to be living with constant nerve pain or neuropathy due to nerve damage from my level of injury and below. The pain becomes background noise at a point, and ranges from a dull pins and needles sensation, to a moderate burning or electric tingling sensation. Although when it flares up it can become a sharp pinching sensation, or like full electric shocks travelling down my legs. It can be frustrating trying to get control of pain, and it can be a lot of trial and error. Here are some different things to try.
Positives of Wheelie Life
It definitely comes with its inconveniences, but there are some perks that come along with it as well. First and foremost, people need to realize that a wheelchair is not an inherently bad thing. In fact it is the opposite. A wheelchair is FREEDOM and allows me to get out and explore the world. This is an important distinction a lot of people miss. So I just want to set the record straight. Yes, spinal cord injuries suck. Paralysis sucks. Neurological conditions suck. Chronic health issues suck. Overpriced medical equipment sucks. But my wheelchair is awesome. Here’s my rundown on some positive perks that come from using a wheelchair and being paralyzed.
Secondary Complications of Spinal Cord Injuries
Paralysis, and the inability to walk are the primary and most obvious complications after a spinal cord injury. However, most days not walking is the least of my worries. Unfortunately, there are many secondary conditions that need to be considered as well. Severity and level of injury will affect the number of complications. As will factors such as age, weight, diet and immune function. Simple things can potentially become life threatening. It can take longer to diagnose many problems if your body isn’t able to tell you something is wrong, and the signal is interrupted along the way.
Staying Cool in a Wheelchair: Tips for Beating the Heat
The spinal cord is responsible for regulating body temperature through the nervous system. Normally, when the body becomes too warm it triggers blood vessels to dilate, and sweat glands to release fluids to cool down the body. Damage to the spinal cord can interrupt this process. After injury the body’s temperature regulation is thrown off and many people no longer sweat, or sweat way less. It can become particularly dangerous if one is unable to cool down, and can cause spikes in blood pressure or a pounding headache, blurred vision, or unconsciousness. Here are some solutions I have found to keep cool and beat the heat.
What Does it Feel Like to be Paralyzed?
What does it feel like to be paralyzed? Like everything in life, everyone has a unique experience. Same goes with the sensation, or lack thereof, of being paralyzed. Most people assume that it just feels like nothing. However, nothing is an oversimplification.
I have the unique perspective of having the privilege to have lived as a healthy able bodied person for 27 years. Then, in the blink of an eye, I am now living with a permanent disability. Overall, life after paralysis is a big adjustment at first. Essentially, you literally have to re-learn how to live in a new body.
