what is step 1?

abacoian...i can give my opinion but its by no mean a pro one..but it is based on experience rather...

Firstly i want to say how right you are that in believing that you can still build up strength at this stage. Too many people accept their Asia grading and its almost like being slapped with limitations....
Work those muscles and build them up and you will be surprised at how you can improve.

Set your longterm goal...then from this and then break them down into your short term goals. 

There is no reason why you cant start to work on more than one muscle/muscle group. Your core is important..it will help with stability...i try to keep using/tightening my core muscles at many times of the day. You can practice this in your chair at any time....no matter what you are doing.

Did they explain in rehab how to do this..? the exercise will also help when you want to work with other muscles?

I think if you are going to set yourself a plan...then make it part of your lifestyle..with healthy eating too...a biggie is to consider weight...keeping a healthy weight is so so important... 

First step:
Evaluation 
Are you looking at an exercise regime that encompasses healthy eating/lifestyle?
What do you want to achieve?
develop core and stability?
Strengthen muscles for mobility and independence?
Think about how to improve cardio function ( will also help with breathing exercises)

Decide on these and any others than you think important and then start a plan.....

thank you for the feedback guys. Yes I would like to learn more about proper nutrition as well. Thankfully I stay slim but eating better I know is important. I'm not exactly sure the proper way to flex / hold the core muscles, do you just tighten them? Any instruction appreciated. Yes I believe any movement exercise is better than none. But also hoping to learn what has the best lasting benefits for improvements. Hang in there guys.

Ian

step 1 for me was getting pissed off not being able to do something - anything will do . . . and trying. It started off with getting out of bed in hospital, ( perhaps not my best idea ) although getting fed up with someones' finger up my ass, and deciding I was going to get onto a toilet regardless of advice seemed to work. From little things mate, even if it's only making a cold drink on your own - just be prepared to accept a lot of failures for each success, and give it another go . . .

Thank you for the feedback, it is inspiring, it's hard to keep going after so long and sometimes you think it's not worth it. I do what I can on my own which isn't enough but much better than nothing. Videos would be great. I'm trying to record the exercises that I do hopefully to get feedback for more effective routines. Just how you know your trunk control can be better I believe that there are lots of scis that can be much better than they are but not much is ever expected of them. For myself I'm trying to find and figure out what and how I need to do to make the gains that I know I have the ability to, an hopefully along the way to help others see that they don't have to settle. I will check out the trunk exercises, thank you again.