Hi everyone. This is my first post so I apologize if it may be in the incorrect place. I'm trying to get a good understanding of how to describe my SCI when discussing it with others. I was injured in a car accident about 7 months ago but I'm still a little foggy on that aspect of it.
My Hospital discharge paperwork in one section states incomplete quadriplegia C5 - C6, another section states traumatic injury at C5 - C7 level with Central cord syndrome. I told my doctor I wanted to know how to discuss the injury and I was told I can say that my level of injury (ASIA impairment scale) is C4 D. I have used this in some conversations but most people get the impression that I injured my C4 which I didn't.
Any insight that could be provided on how to understand this better would be greatly appreciated as I would like to at least sound informed when talking with other people about my own injury.
Thanks. I appreciate the quick response. I'm actually okay with my understanding of the ASIA scale. My doctor was pretty good with that.
What confuses me is discussing the actual level of injury when I want to talk about it with other people. I don't know whether to say I'm incomplete quadriplegia C5 - C6, or C5 - C7 level with Central cord syndrome, or incomplete C4.
I’ve been sci T9 incomplete for over 5 years, yet I wouldn’t know what to call your injury either. I just know that some people’s spinal cord problems (like yours) are a whole different ballgame from my kind of injury. With what you are asking, I now realize that my injury is much easier to define and describe to a layman than yours is. So, I guess, “Be thankful for small blessings”?
Hi and welcome.... I am an incomplete C5/6 walking quadriplegic.....I have found over the years that its best to not go into detail when trying to explain to people who don't understand about SCI's.....simplest explanation is best.... most people don't understand levels in the spine etc.
Being graded D on the ASIA scale is good news... I was initially graded B but that naturally changed when I started walking again.
I'm a C5 tetraplegic, ASIA D with Brown Sequard Syndrome, and a walker. I just call it exactly as was the acute diagnosis. If people look confused, or ask what that means, I explain it further.
Tarabev is spot on on being graded ASIA D as good news.
Thanks everyone. This is all great information and is definitely appreciated!! It definitely does give me the opportunity to come up with an elaborate fictitious story about what happened if I want to! Haha
One of my favorite SCId people staunchly maintained he had been in the shower when attacked by ninja warriors. He fought them off but still ended up with a broken back. There are so many possibilities. If I had slipped in the shower I would definitely create a more interesting story, but "traffic accident" seems to grease me right past any further questions.
I step in the water, but the water has moved on...
'There's always something magic, there's always something true. And when you really, really need it the most, that's when rock 'n roll dreams come true.'
vintage , rumor has it I didn't really try to fly. And the whole falling from there stories high was a accident. But the other version sounds way cooler hehe
'There's always something magic, there's always something true. And when you really, really need it the most, that's when rock 'n roll dreams come true.'