Living with a spinal cord injury causes severe alterations in a person’s life style. Someone diagnosed with spinal 
cord injury requires appropriate surgical intervention and psychological assistance to avoid some complications. Today we will be examining the quality of life of patients with spinal cord injury.
The coping process
After receiving such devastating news, it is usual for people to feel like their world is falling apart. They receive both physical and psychological guidance from the medical staff from the beginning. These health professionals shall be the ones helping to face all changes that may arise by this new physical condition. The rehabilitation team plays a crucial role since they provide the support, training and necessary resources to tackle the new challenges.
Having a spinal cord injury changes some life habits forever but yet a fulfilling and satisfying life is possible in spite of the limitations.
After the coping process, there are many patients with reduced mobility who are able to work, drive, participate in sport, have personal relationships and maintain their family commitments.
Feelings are part of the process
Coping with life with a spinal cord injury is a hard task. Feelings such as sadness, anger and gloom are part of the process. Therefore it is very important for patients not to keep these feelings to themselves in order to move forward. Talking to family members or friends usually help but it is also helpful to find a support group of people living in the same situation since patients may exchange their experience with others who have already progressed from the coping process.
Taking care of someone with a spinal cord injury
The person taking care of the patient should also be involved in this process. It may be gratifying but hard at the same time. People taking care of others should not forget themselves. Joining a support group may be also helpful.
Facing the problem and asking for help is vital for the patients to be able to move forward. Expressing their feelings and returning to their everyday life usually eases the process of coping with the diagnosis.
