Has Spinal Cord Injury Changed You?

This is really a great topic. I am man enough to say my injury made me humble. I have been married for almost 16 years. I was a workaholic prior to my injury. My wife and family came second. Sad to say, it took my injury and time in the chair to realize how good of a family I had. I even learned who my real if any friends were. So yes, it changed my life in a big way. I know respect my wife, children and thank God for making me realize what I could of lost. All the money in the world really can't buy true love. Best to all! P.S. I still would love to walk again someday!

My mental state changed for the worse for many years. If something would alter my mind (try to make me forget I guess) then I took it or drank it. From the outside looking in it may have looked like I was trying to kill myself with the lifestyle I lived. Thankfully I woke up one day. Don't get me wrong, I have down days now but for the most part I am, like Joe, humble. I really want to do whatever I can in life to help others. I don't care if they are SCI or just having a crappy day. I want to be that person that puts a smile on their face and they realize that regardless of how bad today is, it could be worse and tomorrow is a brand new day.

Lαrα,

We know how it is to have something and lose it which to me is worse than never having it at all. As I get older I get great satisfaction out of helping others. I don't need praise or a pat on the back it is just an internal high for me to know that in some small way I was able to make someone's day a little better. We live in times where so many people are just bitter. Life is a struggle for everyone but I have changed my mindset that I refuse to be unhappy. That is the easy way out. Yes I still have down days but they rarely last the entire day because I will do whatever it takes to make it better.

I think each of us have a story of how we have overcome adversity. We aren't perfect or super human but we have made it a point to accept the changes we were dealt with and move forward in life. If someone can benefit from my experience and it makes them have a better day then maybe my accident was meant to help others instead of make life difficult for me.

Loving all the responses so far!

Jun 29, 2015 7:51:02 GMT -8 jeff1967 said:

Don't get me wrong, I have down days now but for the most part I am, like Joe, humble. I really want to do whatever I can in life to help others. I don't care if they are SCI or just having a crappy day. I want to be that person that puts a smile on their face and they realize that regardless of how bad today is, it could be worse and tomorrow is a brand new day.