Inspired Spinal Cord Injury Support Forum

Lαrα
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Does Spinal Cord Injury make us Stronger? Apr 16, 2014 0:12:44 GMT -8

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Post by Lαrα on Apr 16, 2014 0:12:44 GMT -8

I am a bit of a deep thinker and ive thought about this on several occasions. Ive noticed that people who are Spinal Cord Injured are in general, strong and positive characters.
Most SCI individuals seem to deal with their injury as positive as possible and become very determined and resourceful about how they can go about their life and their recovery.
There is definitely a degree of 'kick ass' attitude......and a strong desire for independence.

I have met people with SCI who have inspired me greatly with their confidence and drive and amazing attitude.

So ive wondered this...some people say we are only given what we can deal with so is it that people who become Spinal Cord Injury are in general strong people prior to injury or does it make us stronger?

My friends and family seem to make a bigger deal about my SCI than i do myself....I know that i tend to worry less about hings than i used to...I guess everything gets put into perspective with an injury like this..

Maybe its a case of , well the worst has already happened so now..what can possibly get worse so lets just get on with it.

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Does Spinal Cord Injury make us Stronger? Apr 16, 2014 1:51:52 GMT -8

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Post by wavewolf on Apr 16, 2014 1:51:52 GMT -8

I've wondered about this, too. Seems as if the losses we face require a measure of acceptance and adaptation if we are to use the energy and abilities we have left to best advantage. It's the infections, UTIs, AD, skin breakdowns, and drudge of incontinence that get to most of us more than loss of mobility. With higher level injuries, dependency on others is a very humbling and challenging fact of new life.

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Hoea ra!

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Does Spinal Cord Injury make us Stronger? Apr 16, 2014 2:54:50 GMT -8

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Post by anita on Apr 16, 2014 2:54:50 GMT -8

I think it does, Lara. People say all the time to me. "You sound so happy". Well yeah. I'm happy to be alive! I can still enjoy my children (boys-26, 22, 15) I'm lucky, they all still live @ home (big house) & all are sweet & helpful. I lost the use of my legs, but have my arms, and most importantly, my mind. As my paralysis is new, less than 1 year, I'm still adapting. I do think....What doesn't kill us makes us stronger! So I choose to look at it as just a....

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Does Spinal Cord Injury make us Stronger? Apr 16, 2014 7:28:05 GMT -8

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Post by Lαrα on Apr 16, 2014 7:28:05 GMT -8

wavewolf and anita..you are both so right, i agree with both your sentiments... ...I definitely think that im a happy person, in general and i am so pleased im here.
I certainly appreciate experiences and people with more value although i was always this way...i am more so now.

My spinal surgery was the first ever surgery in my life and my first stay in hospital...If i had been told in advance that i was going to go through a 5 hour emergency operation and everything else that comes with a spinal cord injury then hell i would have been scared crazy!

Yet on the actual night of my operation (my op was 5 am in the morning) i had such a quiet inner calm....

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Does Spinal Cord Injury make us Stronger? Apr 16, 2014 8:39:33 GMT -8 via Inspired Mobile

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Post by Knight on Apr 16, 2014 8:39:33 GMT -8

I definitely think it makes us stronger. The first year was very difficult, since I was very depressed. I have a history of severe clinical depression and bipolar disorder, so it was hard to stay positive, especially since my ex boyfriend was an emotionally abusive d***.

I've been told I'm one of the happiest and most ornery person people have ever met. I am thankful to just be alive! My initial injury wouldn't have killed me, but the staph & strep infection almost did. I definitely appreciate life more, and now I feel like I can take on anything, I just might piss myself doing it now! Lol

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Too Pretty to Walk™

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Does Spinal Cord Injury make us Stronger? Apr 16, 2014 8:58:11 GMT -8

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Post by Lαrα on Apr 16, 2014 8:58:11 GMT -8

Ha i love how you describe it Knight... post op i had a blood cot on its way to my heart which they caught just in time, it sure made me realise.

Also post op whilst in hospital i felt i was fighting...i was dropping weight so quickly every day and couldnt eat...food repulsed me big time...i was so weak..i could feel the downward incline but 3 years on it feels so long ago now.

It does all change your perspective for sure!

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cbdives Advanced Member Posts: 735 Post Likes Received: 490 Date Joined: November 2013 Injury: Peripheral Neuropathy Date Injured: Progressive Member is: Offline Send PM	Does Spinal Cord Injury make us Stronger? Apr 16, 2014 14:58:14 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by cbdives on Apr 16, 2014 14:58:14 GMT -8 I like the phrase..."Just get on with it"
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anita
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Does Spinal Cord Injury make us Stronger? Apr 17, 2014 1:44:46 GMT -8

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Post by anita on Apr 17, 2014 1:44:46 GMT -8

Lara, I also developed blood clots post-op, but mine were bilateral lung (pulmonary emboli-bilateral). So now I'm on Coumadin therapy ( blood thinners) long term, probably for life. Such a pain in the ass! But since this was my 14th spinal surgery (since 1986) I wasn't all that nervous. Little did I know I'd wake up a paraplegic........

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Does Spinal Cord Injury make us Stronger? Apr 17, 2014 7:09:12 GMT -8

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Post by kilg0retr0ut on Apr 17, 2014 7:09:12 GMT -8

I don't know how much stronger it makes you. I feel strongly that it's bonkers to think anyone or thing gave us spinal cord injuries " because we are strong". Humans want to survive. They will most likely do anything it takes to continue to live.
What choice do you really have. Drive on.

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hobbit Advanced Member Posts: 384 Post Likes Received: 374 Date Joined: October 2013 Injury: Incomplete T12 burst # Date Injured: May 2010 Member is: Offline Send PM	Does Spinal Cord Injury make us Stronger? Apr 17, 2014 8:58:04 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by hobbit on Apr 17, 2014 8:58:04 GMT -8 I have a couple of 9mm presents for whoever gave me my sci . . . do I feel bitter? sometimes, but you just have to get on with it . . .

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Does Spinal Cord Injury make us Stronger? Apr 17, 2014 9:15:31 GMT -8

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Post by Lαrα on Apr 17, 2014 9:15:31 GMT -8

Its interesting isnt it that maybe we are just survivors and that will to kicks in..kilg0retr0ut that makes sense. I have also met(not many) some individuals with SCI who just put their life on hold and are plain miserable..

This saddens me because its just a complete wasted life then which is very sad....SCI takes enough away..why let it take more

anita...permanent blood thinners isnt joy is it..my weekly haunt at the INR clinic (although amused me sometimes) was an inconvenience but neccessary.

cbdives and hobbit,..just get on with it indeed..its the only way

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freewheeler Senior Member Posts: 258 Post Likes Received: 119 Date Joined: July 2013 Injury: T10 Date Injured: Dec 2012 Member is: Offline Send PM	Does Spinal Cord Injury make us Stronger? Apr 18, 2014 1:25:37 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by freewheeler on Apr 18, 2014 1:25:37 GMT -8 I would say yes it does. We have no other option and the human spirit is resourceful when put to the test
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Does Spinal Cord Injury make us Stronger? May 22, 2014 18:07:46 GMT -8

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Post by lowpro on May 22, 2014 18:07:46 GMT -8

Personally, I don't think it made us stronger...I do believe though, that it made us reach deeper for the strength we never realized we had, until we needed to call on it!

On the other hand, I believe the experience has helped me grow mentally, emotionally & spiritually stronger. Know what I mean?!

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Does Spinal Cord Injury make us Stronger? May 22, 2014 18:27:22 GMT -8

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Post by DJ on May 22, 2014 18:27:22 GMT -8

May 22, 2014 18:07:46 GMT -8 lowpro said:

Personally, I don't think it made us stronger...I do believe though, that it made us reach deeper for the strength we never realized we had, until we needed to call on it!

On the other hand, I believe the experience has helped me grow mentally, emotionally & spiritually stronger. Know what I mean?!

Great first post lowpro! Welcome to the forum!

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Does Spinal Cord Injury make us Stronger? May 22, 2014 23:03:03 GMT -8

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Post by Lαrα on May 22, 2014 23:03:03 GMT -8

lowpro, i get what you mean totally...we do find that inner strength when we need it..I guess its there all the time. We learn to become resourceful when faced with challenges and draw on our 'reserves' when we need them.

If we don't we sink...and we know thats certainly not the best option!

Welcome by the way!

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Does Spinal Cord Injury make us Stronger?

Post by Lαrα on Apr 16, 2014 0:12:44 GMT -8

Post by wavewolf on Apr 16, 2014 1:51:52 GMT -8

Post by anita on Apr 16, 2014 2:54:50 GMT -8

Post by Lαrα on Apr 16, 2014 7:28:05 GMT -8

Post by Knight on Apr 16, 2014 8:39:33 GMT -8

Post by Lαrα on Apr 16, 2014 8:58:11 GMT -8

Post by cbdives on Apr 16, 2014 14:58:14 GMT -8

Post by anita on Apr 17, 2014 1:44:46 GMT -8

Post by kilg0retr0ut on Apr 17, 2014 7:09:12 GMT -8

Post by hobbit on Apr 17, 2014 8:58:04 GMT -8

Post by Lαrα on Apr 17, 2014 9:15:31 GMT -8

Post by freewheeler on Apr 18, 2014 1:25:37 GMT -8

Post by lowpro on May 22, 2014 18:07:46 GMT -8

Post by DJ on May 22, 2014 18:27:22 GMT -8

Post by Lαrα on May 22, 2014 23:03:03 GMT -8

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