Im new to my injury which is a T10 complete. A couple weeks ago i was shot in the back coming out a corner store which led me to this situation. I'm still young, 23 years old, and am currently in rehab working hard so i can live independently. Its hard getting used to not being able to walk or not being able to feel any bowel movements. Is there anyone with my injury that progressed over the years enough to be capable of moving or feeling their legs? I'm also looking into wheelchairs and wanted to know if anyone might have any suggestions?

I'm probably not the one you're looking for,,, T10,, five years out,, no change except the pain.

Nothing's easy in life,,, this is just a different kind of hard.

Wheelchairs,,,, whoa,, what a topic,, and a hell of a selection. And a hell of a lot of opinions. I started with a fairly light folder,, mine had swing away footrests,, wish now that it hadn't,, added weight,, no real benefit.

I now have a reasonably light A4 titanium, rigid. I like it, but have trouble getting it in my Jeep liberty. For a first chair,, don't go too far out with bells and whistles,,, you won't know what you like or hate till you live with one for a while.

Check the search feature,, above right,,, you'll find a lot of threads about chairs. Or just ask,, we have a lot of opinions.
ed

Welcome to the forum Louis.

Like everyone else will probably say, you'll get used to things eventually. No two injuries are exactly the same so I'd say, keep fighting and working hard and you can't go wrong.

As for wheelchairs, you will likely be trialled in a few before your dischared- talk to the therapists about what you like or don't like about various models and check out this forum and the internet in general for info on wheelchairs and brands.

For me, you can't go wrong with Otto Bock chairs.

(Edlee- I have swingaway footrests and they are as light as a feather, dead easy to get on and off aswell. Only problem is my feet are big and tend to bounce off them when I'm going up and down kerbs.)

hi welcome to the forum!
its always gonna be differnet for everyone things will become easier in time and just keep working hard!
i have a quickie ti titanium,it being my first chair i think its pretty good and easier to get around.just try find whats bet for you.

maisy.

thanks for the replies, its good to know there are people that can relate to me. its a very tough situation to get used to. does anyone find it easier to put on weight? does anyone have any advice to offer about the transition im going through?

also, about the wheels, i really like the quickie lx here..
Quickie LX Page
anyone use it before?

Hi I am T4 complete, injured 6 years back. I was always had practical view about things, and did not much impact my life after injury. For me best way to deal with situation was to accept the disability at first and think about what best I can do in this condition. Yes I did hope for recovery but did not spend too much time thinking about it. If it is to happen, it will, no two injuries are same, nor two individuals. So I was determined to gain maximum knowledge and fitness during rehab, so that I could live independently as possible.

Life after spinal injury is like being a child again and learning to walk. Everyday I worked hard to find new balance points, different ways of doing stuff, etc. Rehab will teach you the basics, but it is up to individual to work out what is best for him/her.

I would suggest that you go for Rigid frame wheelchair, rather than folding one. You are young and injury is at lower level, so you can be really active. Rigid frame chairs are best for active persons. Also if you are interested in sports, get a chair that have Anti tip, so that you can start playing games from your chair without fear of falling out.

I was t4 complete and had no significant improvement since I left hospital. You never know what may come tomorrow, all you know is your current situation. It is easy to put on weight and most do, specially because most are not very active at least for some time after injury. I never worried about weight initially, but now I control my diet to burn of some extra weight I gained. Also being active (Badminton, sailing, full time job and pushing around country park) helps burn off some calories. Try to make best out of current situation, don't let the disability beat you. When you return home make effort to go out and meet people.

Don't overlook the TiLites. A lot of people here really like them. Weight WILL matter to you, so go as light as you can afford.

Try your chair without armrests,,, a lot here don't like them.

So many options,, so little time. If you like the outdoors and plan on being rough on your chair,,, as I am,,, You will probably want bigger front wheels,,, maybe a chair with less flex,,,, maybe noflat tires.

Don't let the salesman get you to decide too quick,,, make him work for it,, including supplying trial chairs with different options.

The first chair,, I took what they said I needed,,, the second chair,, I had 6 different chairs,, three different cushions over a two month period,, before I picked the one that worked for me. They didn't even get mad when I sent one back covered in mud,,, I was hunting and it was raining,, nuff said.
ed