How? Well, in my experience, you don't.

Now, that could be a problem for many but the other side is: You get a whole other life in return.

Depending on how you deal with the loss and the anger and all the other physical and psychological stuff, that new life can lead you anywhere.

What did it for me I think was kinda deciding: what's gone is gone. Enjoy the memories but pick up this new life and make the most of what you've got now.

I make that sound easy but somehow... it was actually...

I was only 17 though so I guess I didn't have a clue of what achievements, responsabilities, independencies, whatever I had really lost. Most of my future options were still open.

So I finished highschool, went to uni, found a job and everything without having to "re-arrange" a life really.

It's do-able
I was lucky that my family and the real friends supported me all the way through and I probably am enough of an optimist to believe that my life as a quad for the past 18 years was very well worth living and so are all the years to come.

O yea, next time I'll log in before I type away, duh!

Hi Stef,
As a person injurd later in life at the age of 35, it took a long time to get used to my new life. I just started a new bussiness which was taking off rapidly,my kids were growing up fast and life was everything I could have ever wanted. Then with the blink of a eye, it was gone!!! I hit rock bottom this past winter my doctor was worried I was going to hurt my self and to tell you the truth I wasn't sure I wouldn't. I'm 2 years into my injuryand still have many issuse I don't deal with well,but I think I'm on my way to making a new life. I have a son starting college this coming fall, I recently started a new job and am introducing my self back into the able bodied person world. Life will never be what it was, but it doesn't mean it's over. This has made me stronger and I'm sure it has made every one out there stronger with a injury. God know's I don't take life for ganted any more and I treasure the littlest things even more. I guess the only way to get your life back is to look beyond your limits and regainsome of your past and put the pieces back together. I wish you the best of luck and the will to survie to conquire all your dreams.


MX CRASH

I was 13 when I was paralyzed so I think in some way it was easier.
My life was changing anyway, I was growing up and so I think it happened at a good time because this is how my older life would be spent. I had lost stuff but it wasn't as though I was set in my ways so having to use a wheelchair was just a way I would live now.

I was embarrassed at first and wouldnt go out or anything. I dont really know how I got my life back, I guess I just figured that Id have to move on at some point and I might as well do it early before it gets even harder.

I dont think there is any one way to get your life back. Its a personal experience. I think once you realise that this isnt some temporary blip in your life thats when you understand you need to accept this as who you are now. for me it wasnt a change it was a development. Of course there are times when I think it isnt fair but I know I have taken so much from it.

I take my hat off to you all!! Life is to short, you guys have had so much to deal with yet you have managed to get on with it and make the most of it. Many able bodied people think life is to hard and all they have to worry about is normal everyday things, they make me mad, you guys have to deal with that and so much more and dont complain (well rarely lol, you wouldnt be human otherwise) So keep up the fantastic work I admire you all !!

thank God i was only 5. so it wasn't getting back to the life... more like continuing it... but in a bit different way.

teenagers/adolescents are more vulnerable... and a lot more difficult for them.