Suffering through a spinal cord injury can change your life. Living with a spinal cord injury can mean something very different than living before your injury. For some, it may mean learning to do without sensation or movement in parts of your body. For others, it can mean never using the lower half of your body again.
How a spinal cord injury will affect you will vary a great deal depending on your type of injury and the severity of the damage.
A Quick Overview of the Spinal Cord
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that extends the full length of your back—from the base of the skull to the lower back. It is protected by your spine, which is a set of small, connected bone pieces.
The spinal cord allows messages to travel from the brain to the rest of the body and vice versa. It is vital to your daily function. It allows you to move and feel sensations. It helps your body regulate and control critical body functions, such as breathing and your heartbeat.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Any time the spinal cord is damaged or harmed in any way, it is considered a spinal cord injury. A spinal cord injury is either “complete” or “incomplete.” A complete injury is more severe; someone with a complete injury likely does not have any feeling or ability to move below the level of the damage. An incomplete injury allows for some movement or sensation, but thesecapabilitiesare decreased, sometimes significantly.
Some traumatic event usually causes spinal cord injuries. They are often the result of:
- Sporting injuries
- Car accidents
- Falls
- Assault
These types of injuries can also be the result of an infection or a congenital disability.
Life with a Spinal Cord Injury
You can still have afull and rewarding life with a spinal cord injury. Nonetheless, there will likely be some significant changes and adjustments. For many, a spinal cord injury robs them of things that they have always been able to do their whole lives. That does not mean, however, that they are unable to do everything.
Those with spinal cord injuries can often still work, drive, have relationships and families, and play sports. How much you can do will depend a great deal on your unique type of injury.
Recovering from a Spinal Cord Injury
Most individuals who suffer from a spinal cord injury will partner with a rehabilitation program team after they leave the hospital. They will provide you with training, support, and resources to help you recuperate as much as you can. Making the most of what they have to offer will allow you to recover more fully and faster.
Adjusting to your new life will be difficult in some respects. In fact, you may become sad or angry. Grieving for your loss is normal. It is also important to have an outlet to express these feelings, whether that is with family and friends or a professional. You may also be able to take advantage of support groups or connect with people online who have similar injuries. Sharing experiences and talking through your rehabilitation process can be incredibly therapeutic for many individuals.
Ongoing pain and depression can inhibit your life even further. Talk to your doctor about how you can address these issues as well. He or she can provide treatments and medications to help you.
Get advice from experienced spinal cord compensation lawyers
If you or a family member have suffered through a traumatic incident and are living with spinal cord injury, speak to the personal injury lawyers at Diamond and Diamond. They are skilled and compassionate professionals dedicated to helping you recover the compensation you deserve. Don’t delay, contact our 24/7 injury hotline at 1-800-567-HURT or visit our website to speak to someone now about your claim. Consultations are free, and we have offices located throughout British Columbia.