Spinal cord injuries (SCI) can be caused by illnesses, accidents, or trauma that affects the central nervous system. They lead to various physical limitations, social adjustments, and emotional challenges that affect victims and their loved ones.
Victims who have suffered this type of injury as a result of negligence should consult a spinal cord injury attorney to assist with the legal process. Since SCI can lead to significant financial stress, victims must push for fair compensation.
The victim’s life changes as a result of spinal cord injuries. They may require support, resilience, and adaptive strategies to manage. Keep reading to discover how SCI can affect your daily life.
Physical Impacts of Spinal Cord Injury
The physical challenges from spinal cord injuries vary depending on the severity and location of the injury. Common effects include:
- Reduced mobility
- Health complications
- Need for physical adaptation
Paralysis
Spinal cord injuries may lead to paralysis. It is the loss of movement control and feeling. Quadriplegia, also known as tetraplegia, is when a victim cannot control or move muscles. Paraplegia is the lack of ability to move the lower parts of your body.
People who suffer from paralysis may need wheelchairs, walkers, or other assistive devices to move around. This significantly affects a victim’s day-to-day life, as simple activities like bathing and getting out of bed will require assistance.
Health Complications
Spinal cord injuries also lead to ongoing medical issues. Many victims end up suffering from
- Muscle spasms
- Chronic pain
- Reduced control over bladder functions
- Respiratory complications from injuries affecting the chest
These secondary medical issues require consistent care and specialized attention. Therefore, victims will find themselves needing frequent medical care and a caregiver in their lives.
Physical Adaptation
Physical adaptation is a very challenging part of dealing with spinal cord injuries, as it requires individuals to rethink how they perform simple day-to-day tasks.
Daily activities like cooking or doing other household chores are different for people with spinal cord injuries. You might need tools like reachers, voice-activated devices, or adapted utensils to make the tasks more manageable.
Physical therapy plays a key role in helping to build strength, improve coordination, and learn some strategies to maintain some level of independence.
Emotional and Psychological Effects
The emotional and psychological effects are as severe as physical impacts. Since spinal cord injuries affect a person’s independence, identity, and the trajectory of their lives, it is common for victims to develop other emotional issues.
Emotional Adjustments
Many individuals experience grief because of losing physical abilities, thus leading to feelings of frustration and helplessness. Depression and moments of anger are common, especially in the early days. Coping with these emotions requires time and professional assistance.
Mental Health Struggles
Spinal cord injuries can increase anxiety about the future. Individuals may have concerns about their medical complications and financial security because of the inability to resume their previous jobs.
The concern over social acceptance also weighs heavily on victims. Some people may also develop PTSD, particularly if the injury was from a traumatic event like a car crash.
Lifestyle Adaptations
As mentioned, after a spinal cord injury, individuals may require prosthetics and other mobility aids. Sometimes home modifications are necessary to make your life more comfortable. You may need ramps, adjustable furniture, and smart devices to improve accessibility. These changes affect your normal day-to-day life as you know it.
Conclusion
Spinal cord injuries, in one way or another, affect a person’s daily life. Coping with these changes is hard for the injured and their family as it changes the reality of life.
However, through therapy and peer support groups, individuals can encourage one another as they share experiences of dealing with similar challenges.
