looking to discuss SCI people 25+ years post accident

Sure, whitedog. What would you like to compare?

I, too, can use a walker though the chair is my primary means of transportation. Just 10 years has given me significant scoliosis . My walk is weird with one leg apparently longer than the other. that is due to the kink in my lower back. osteoporosis is sever. Danger of UTIs is "managed" with Chinese herbs at a cost of around $80/month. Other non-covered health care expenses run over $300/month. If I did not have the ability to pay for that stuff my life would be miserable.It is what itis and getting old is no picnic.

Friendships? few, and all begun long before my SCI.

Thats a really interesting story, thankyou Jeff and if one can be fortunate with this type of injury, then yes, you were fortunate at the time that you were one of the originals to be cared for so well.
It took many years over here in Australia to catch up in the care that the US offers, back in rehab, all they tried to do with me was teach me wheelchair skills when it was obvious that I was getting some movement back, hence why my family and I checked me out or rehab early and got a private physio a few days a week to help learn to walk again.

As for how my injury/pain has affected my relationships, my husband left me when I was 7 months pregnant 2 half years after my accident, I liken him to a rat deserting a sinking ship because my previous life was over. Since then, Ive had one serious relationship (where my daughter met him) and he never really understood my injury even though he tried, didnt fully understand about how I would 'need' to use a toilet as soon as possible, looking back and analysing, I can see why we didnt last, he wasnt overly full of empathy, oh well.

For the last several years Ive chosen to remain single as my daughter has traversed through her teenage years. My beautiful girl understands me more than anyone ever has and to her, I'm not disabled, I'm just Mum, when she was 5 she grabbed my hand and told me that she would help me cross the street, she's 18 now and still holds my hand when the ground is uneven.... has helped me up off the ground on the many times I have tripped. I dont complain about my pain to my family and friends, but my daughter can see how it affects me, sometimes the pain creeps up and it affects my mood first, I start getting crabby and then a short while later, I realise I've been putting up with the pain for a while.

How has your injury/pain affected your relationships?

I like your analogy about not being broken enough for others, they would never admit that, but its obvious that they think that way because they have actually told me that I dont understand.....oh well.....I no longer engage with them or comment in their posts.

HEY GUYS AND GIRLS my name is steve and i broke my neck in 1987.c2 thru c4.left me a quad.with alot of therapy i started getting movent after 62 days. started walking but with a limp .my left side was affected.drop foot and weakness in 1999 was in a car acc. and broke c5 thru c7. had to start over again.since than i have had 4 diskectomys.i am still walking but i fall i alot .i hit bottom of pool the first time.because of that my spine got compressed quite bad .thus the diskectomys.i will continue to have them .i was in traction for 3 weeks before my first surgery to pull the spine back in place or as good as can be.im now 63 this week ,still walking not great but walking. i've never given up.but you do have to change the way you think