Depression/will to live

Hey dude nobody "wants" to "live" in a wheelchair but you just deal with what happened and persevere.  I was 14 when I broke my neck and was an athlete.  Dark thoughts and wondering if you have the will to live are natural things that happen after a severe accident like we've been through.  I asked my older brother to smother me with a pillow in the hospital but he wouldn't do it.  I attemptd to check out a couple times in the next couple years but eventually came to grips with my situation and realized I can still live a life.  I'm 39 years post injury, married 28 years, have 2 beautiful girls in college,  and have been employed full time since graduating college 30 years ago.  The best thing I did to recover mentally was move out of the comfy confines of my parents house and went away to college.  I met girls, made a lot of friends in the dorms, and got my degree.  Today I cope with smoking weed every day.  It helps with depression, anxiety, mood, pain, spasticity, appetite, and sleep.  It truly is a wonder drug.  All the best.

Hi Eric. It’s always bittersweet when we “welcome” new members here. We wouldn’t wish this on anybody just to have the pleasure of their company. I hated living in hospitals and nursing homes. I’m back in my own house now. The government gives me a part-time aide. I’m paraplegic. I cook and ride the city van to buy groceries. Last week I mail-ordered the parts to make a kitchen drawer and built it. Rolls out. Rolls in. This may not seem exciting to some people, but it was a big thrill to me! Do you have hopes of getting out of the rehab hospital? You say that you are almost fully independent. What do you mean? Are you able to transfer from the bed to the wheelchair without assistance? Also, if you don’t mind telling us, what is your level of injury?

You are 'almost' independent, which implies that you have a degree of independence. Think about it. Think how lucky you are not how unfortunate you are. Some guys here are totally paralysed.
They can't move their arms or legs and they can't breathe without a machine doing it for them. I haven't heard one of them moan about their condition.  Sooner or later you've got to accept what has happened to you. You do have choices. You either get on with it or you opt out. It's pointless being in no man's land, just sitting there and feeling sorry for yourself.

Wow Eric, you found your tribe. NONE of us want to live in our wheelchairs. Still, that is a lot better than living without them. Being young is tough whatever our circumstances, but like your friends, eventually you will prove yourself to yourself and from that point life gets easier. The absolute most important thing at the very beginning is to learn good health practices so you stay healthy to persue whatever dreams you cook up. If you use a catheter, and 90% of us do, practice very clean habits. Learn everything you can about avoiding UTIs. Secondly, don't just sit in your chair. Practice 'pressure release' moves every 20-30 minutes so the skin on your butt gets good enough circulation. Pressure soars and UTIs are the main problems we face. They can ruin and end our lives so take it seriously.

Advantages? Some girls will want to talk to you just because guys in chairs look non-threatening. Some of them will like you and want to date you. Life is good.