Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Spinal Cord Injuries: How to Cope and Support Your Loved One
You may have difficulty initially accepting that a loved one has sustained a spinal injury which has left them dependent on you. Perhaps he or she is confined to a wheel chair, or has become paralyzed. Your loved one may have a range of disabilities, depending on the injury site in the spine.
You know your loved one needs your ongoing love, support, and compassion now more than ever, but it is also important to cope with the emotional effects you are experiencing during this time.
The Grieving Process
It is no easy task to deal with such a devastating event as a spinal cord injury, particularly if that event has left your loved one paralyzed. Spinal cord injury rehabilitation is a period of transition for all concerned.
Below are some facts that may help you comprehend what your loved one is experiencing as a result of his or her spinal injury. You and your loved one are together enduring a major transition in your lifestyle, and you both may experience any or all of the following steps in the grieving process:
- Denial and disbelief
- Sadness
- Depression
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Acceptance
Support and Compassion
The fact is you also need support and compassion. You do not need to endure this difficult time alone. Various support groups exist across the country to assist both spinal injury victims as well as family members.
One such group is the Spinal Cord Injury Network. The mission of the SCI network is to offer “peer support for people with spinal cord injuries, for spouses/significant others, and for family and friends.” The network seeks to help SCI survivors and their family members meet with others in similar circumstances within their local communities.
Another support network is named after the well-known late Christopher Reeve, of “Superman” fame, who sustained his spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis, during an equestrian accident in 1995. The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation declares that its mission is to cure “spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy.” The Foundation also provides an online community with forums and blogs, encouraging people to participate in ongoing discussion about issues affecting SCI survivors and their families.
Take Time Out for YOU
Finally, remember that you need to take time out for you. In order to be an effective and compassionate caregiver, you first need to take care of yourself:
- Don’t go it alone – request assistance from other family members and other resources in your community
- Pay attention to your own health by eating well and getting adequate rest
- Maintain your own health concerns through regular doctor visits and keeping up with your own medications, if any
- Participate in local support groups (see above)
- Take time out for you to do things you enjoy – go to the library or the gym, spend time with friends, go for a walk
The best way to provide ongoing supportive and compassionate care for your loved one is take care of yourself!
Learn more about spinal cord injuries and treatments.
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. In this critical time you need a legal team that will fight for the compensation you deserve!
The Kiley Law Group will evaluate your case for FREE. There are NO FEES unless one of our personal injury lawyers wins your case.
