Not only does sustaining a SCI change your life, it associates you with everyone else that also deals with the same disability or 'mobility impairment'.  Like it or not we are all lumped in together much like other minority groups.  We are experience many of the same things, living similar lives and even have similar routines.  We are able to ask each other pointed questions about best practices in bladder and bowel care, for example and I do not think there are many other sp called 'groups' that can speak so freely about some of these topics.  We can also discuss different types of equipment that has helped enhance our lives.

How is it then that we all recover and respond so differently to the SCI?  Why is it that some of us live out ideas of self esteem and identity while others loose a sense of self and struggle to rediscover purpose?  I try to address some of this in this episode while also acknowledging some of my own shortcomings.  I touch on why I feel there are some living with the SCI who  let themselves be overwhelmed by the injury.  Why are we so afraid of the injury and why would we cling to past, or try to if it is preventing us from moving forward and regaining control of our lives, even if it means not walking again?

In large part we must also recognize how it is not only the challenge of living with a chair/mobility device, but it is all of the other little things that come along with the SCI.  Having to use catheters for example or taking the chair apart when getting in and out of the car, or just needing a different type of vehicle all together.  These are all things that will eventually just become a part of the routine, so the things that can blind side us are the things that we do not expect like a pressure sore or UTI.  These are the REAL hardships and things we need to pay attention to that we never did before our SCI.  So, in a lot of ways we are the same, but also in other ways we are worlds apart.

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