Does Spinal Cord Injury make us Stronger?

Excellent advice and philosophy lowpro, very much so. I have challenged myself so much more since my injury and expect more for myself too. I do feel stronger and have more resolve than i ever did before.
I was always determined before SCI but more so these day... I feel more challenged, certainly but we have to rise to it :-)

Yes it most certainly does - I was faced with a snowboarding accident 15 years ago - was just 19 at the time - It definitely slowed me down but has not stopped me non the less - I crave challenges whether its physical or the mental challenge of how to do something no one else has done with my kinda disability - I luv to create design and build prototype disability products....Competitive Sprint kayaking lead me down this road... as I had to find a way to race these skinny light weight kayaks - It lead me to composite and graphite products to create my own 3d scanned composite bucket seating.  I held the title of fastest in my class for 3years in all of Canada - mainly due to the seating I designed - since then I have been going non stop creating concepts and ideas for various racing applications for persons with disabilities and a lot of personal goals and projects     you can see a few at www.adaptiveseatingproducts.com   Check us out and see what im into  ! 

I have found that the mind has had to adapt over the years - I know I look at things that other abled bodied do and try to figure out how can I do that !!!  if there is a will...there is always a way !! a little engineering and prototyping and anything is doable.

 I am also majorly into Flying - I own 2 hovercrafts and an ultralight I just picked up last month.  Im looking for other enthusiasts. 

So long story short I do way more then most and its all because of my disability as I probably never would have pushed myself to accomplish sooo much - every Day I make a list and accomplish it !   

I have found that the type of persons/mindsets I come across varies depending on the disability and support group around them.  I find that most are very Strong minded !  Some just need a boost and to be shown they can achieve their goals if approached right.   I kinda find myself being this person in a lot for disabled friends lives...but like I keep telling everyone - you must overcome your fear of the unknown...life is short - Live it to its fullest with what you got left - And ALWAYS BE PROUD of WHO and WHAT YOU ARE !!  for no one in life you come across is any better then you ! We all have our own demons to face...whether your abled bodied or not.  anyways there is my rant !  lol 

hope this helps...J

It has made me a more thoughtful, kinder person than I was pre-injury and I now appreciate the little joys of life..Slowed me down where I can smell the roses and that I sorely needed...I take nothing for granted anymore and instead of seeking elusive sheer happiness I seek mere contentment..That's good enough for me....But it is still a tough, pain-filled life and over the years I've accepted that part and have no illusions that will change until my time in this realm is up.....

I agree with the thought kilg0retr0ut had (being 'chosen' to have this because we are stronger in crazy). I don't think this has made me stronger. I do believe it has made me a little more tolerant towards others. You never know what kind of battle someone else is going through. 'Just do it' and 'get on with it' are two phrases I love. My injury is L5/S1(but I believe my injury is S1and below) so I am able to walk, but it's difficult, more like a shuffle with a limp and I'm on my feet for 50 hours a week at work. Some weeks are better than others, my ankles swell, my balance sucks, my heels are constantly throbbing but I refuse to give up. I will not let CES define me in any way shape or form. My favorite quote is this 'it's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get back up'