Poor self image/embarrassment over injury

That you are opening up here is a great step, and that you are seeking counseling and will be able to share freely with someone who is trained to help you rebuild your thought-world, is another great step. You know best, but sharing the truth with your mother at some point will probably be received with relief--mothers read our hearts, but she is dealing with her own frustration of wanting to help you but perhaps not knowing how to.  Our families share our losses if they love us.

In your photo the vent is not the first thing one sees, but maybe it would be more obvious in person. Since the vent seems to be the primary focus of your image discontent, can you use a scarf to make it less distracting? Scarfs are so in style right now, it seems (I am definitely not a fashionable type), and there are very lightweight ones that would even be wearable in warmer weather.  Might be a way of taking control of your image.

Coping with questions strangers ask is a challenge. When they ask me things I'd rather not answer, I let them know in various ways, depending upon my mood!  If they are just asking because they have been staring and feel as if they have to say something because I am staring back, then I say something like, "Why don't you share about your life first?" If they are downright rude, I might quip, "Forgot your suppository again?" If they are genuinely curious and I have the energy to deal with that, such as a child asking or someone I have not seen since before paralysis, I might give a somewhat planned response that educates but is not overwhelming. Finding ways to respond that don't keep making the questions seem "new" helps me to deal better with them. And, inspired by truwrecks and Lαrα, I sometimes just make up really sick stuff to enjoy the reaction of total strangers!

Long ago, way pre-SCI, I decided to eliminate most of the mirrors in my house, just using them when I needed to make sure I wasn't about to commit some fashion atrocity. A break from seeing ourselves is not always a bad thing. But seeing ourselves realistically after such a drastic change as SCI is another matter. I think we all have needed some help with that, and you are after what you need--good move!

truwrecks..very very true..i agree