[StarryEyedSurprise]

Just thought I would say hi. I'm new here but been looking around here for little while and thought it was time to make the jump onto the forum.

My partner is a C6/T1 tetraplegic although she has paraplegic tendencies. She has been tetraplegic for 14 years now and we met just over a year and a half ago. I love her to pieces and wouldn't have her any other way.

Anyway I thought I'd just say hi!

[catmint]

Hi

Welcome to the boards.

It's a good place to find help and support.

L

[nomis]

Hi Starry....

"...she has paraplegic tendencies..." Sounds interesting. Is that a vice or a good thing?

[StarryEyedSurprise]

nomis, on Jan 9 2009, 12:22 AM, said:

Hi Starry....

"...she has paraplegic tendencies..." Sounds interesting. Is that a vice or a good thing?

From what I can tell it's a good thing, for example whereas with the level of her injury her hands would be in a fixed position, she has full finger dexterity and uses her arms and hand the majority of the time, albeit slowly. In her explanation, because she was so young when the accident happened, her body went into some sort of repair because not everything was as developed as would be in an adult suffering a spinal injury. For this reason the physiotherapists were able to work with her to train the use of her hands (e.g. tearing tissues and playing computer games).

Anyway it's a good thing because it means that she is highly independent, which importantly is good for her self-esteem.

[JesseB]

wlcome starry!

[StellaLAtella]

Hello & Welcome!

~Stella

[Nickleblue]

Hi

[qbounce]

StarryEyedSurprise, on Jan 8 2009, 06:09 PM, said:

From what I can tell it's a good thing, for example whereas with the level of her injury her hands would be in a fixed position, she has full finger dexterity and uses her arms and hand the majority of the time, albeit slowly. In her explanation, because she was so young when the accident happened, her body went into some sort of repair because not everything was as developed as would be in an adult suffering a spinal injury. For this reason the physiotherapists were able to work with her to train the use of her hands (e.g. tearing tissues and playing computer games).

Anyway it's a good thing because it means that she is highly independent, which importantly is good for her self-esteem.

Hi Starry,
just to clarify,
Most lower level quads--c5 to c7, have a very good use of their arms and hands to verying degrees, and alot of us are also very if not completely independent, even if the injury was had as an adult. It's all in the break site, the therapy given, and the attitude (these three factors, as well as friends and family support, etc) help us become as self sufficient as we can strive for.

Basically, it doesn't matter that her accident happened when she was younger to be able to do what she is now capable of.

I'm glad she's able to do so much, too . . . and welcome.

[StarryEyedSurprise]

qbounce, on Jan 13 2009, 12:59 AM, said:

StarryEyedSurprise, on Jan 8 2009, 06:09 PM, said:

From what I can tell it's a good thing, for example whereas with the level of her injury her hands would be in a fixed position, she has full finger dexterity and uses her arms and hand the majority of the time, albeit slowly. In her explanation, because she was so young when the accident happened, her body went into some sort of repair because not everything was as developed as would be in an adult suffering a spinal injury. For this reason the physiotherapists were able to work with her to train the use of her hands (e.g. tearing tissues and playing computer games).

Anyway it's a good thing because it means that she is highly independent, which importantly is good for her self-esteem.

Hi Starry,
just to clarify,
Most lower level quads--c5 to c7, have a very good use of their arms and hands to verying degrees, and alot of us are also very if not completely independent, even if the injury was had as an adult. It's all in the break site, the therapy given, and the attitude (these three factors, as well as friends and family support, etc) help us become as self sufficient as we can strive for.

Basically, it doesn't matter that her accident happened when she was younger to be able to do what she is now capable of.

I'm glad she's able to do so much, too . . . and welcome.

Hi,
To clarify my explanation, I think what she basically means is that whilst her break is at C6 she has the typical abilities of someone with a break at T1.

Thanks for all the welcoming messages!

This post has been edited by StarryEyedSurprise: 14 January 2009 - 02:22 AM

[Sammie]

Welcome Starry, you will find this site very helpful and informative. There are even some on here with cagey humor- dont let that scare you- everyone on here is a good person at heart and wants to be happy and supportive. Your partner may even enjoy chatting as well, she can learn alot from the experiences of others. You found a great place. Welcome!