[authorm]

Hello, everyone. I've been perusing this message board for a while now, and have finally decided to post.

I'm an author, currently writing a novel featuring a character who's had a spinal cord injury. He's male. It's important to the plot that he'd be unable to use his arms or legs -- I'm working with a doctor to determine exactly the site of the injury and some medical details.

What I'm really looking for is the sort of details only people living with an SCI or taking care of someone who'd been injured could provide. I need to know the daily sort of care someone who's unable to use their arms and legs needs...I understand about bowel programs and rolling and catheters...but I need real life details about the level of care, what's involved, costs...financial aid....

Anything that anyone can provide me would be a great help. I would like my novel to be as accurate as I can make it. I deal with issues of sexuality and would have questions about the practicality of some of the things I'm using, as well. By that I mean -- is it feasible and realistic for some of these things to happen.

Since I'm not writing a textbook I don't need to read a textbook to find out what it's like to deal with injuries like this on a daily basis. I need to talk to people who are living it.

If you feel you'd be able to share your experiences with me, or have a partner whose injuries are like I described and would be willing to correspond with me, please contact me at welcometochaos AT gmail.com. I would respect your privacy and though I'd have many, many questions, I'll accept any level of candor that you'd feel comfortable with.

A little about me -- I've been a published author since 2002, I currently write for a small press where I've published novels and short fiction in the romance and erotic romance genre. I've just accepted an offer from Harlequin books to write for their new line launching in May -- this book, if approved, would be published in that line.

Thanks in advance for your interest. I appreciate any help and information anyone can give me.

Thanks!

Megan