16 replies to this topic

[hallsim]

This question is directed to the more experienced people on this forum so that hopefully
us new to the world of sci will not make the same mistakes/decisions.

My question is this:


If you had your time over in a chair, what is one thing that you would have given
more attention to and WHY, weather it be stretching, strength, relationships, skin care etc etc

Will appreciate everyones feedback

Cheers Hallsim....

[Izziwhizzi]

Weight gain and personal fitness.

But I've been injured nearly 30 years, had 2 kids post injury and I enjoy a wonderfully hectic life with them and my hubby. Maybe when they are bigger I can spend some more time on myself and regain some of my fitness.

[Smileyblue]

I think this is a great question!

I've only been in the chair for close to 2 years and am already regretting not paying more attention to my posture! Now I have some muscles killing themselves to over-correct the imbalance in my spinal cord.. Just additional pain to ad to the already pain-ridden body.. And totally unnecessary if I had known to take the right care..

I can't WAIT to hear what everyone else can suggest and advise! ;-)

[Rune Rider]

Yeah I would say skin care and personal fitness go hand in hand. When I was in the SIU in Glasgow the gentleman in the bed next to me had been in the chair for many years. He had neglected him skin care and taken to drinking, as a result he developed an open sore on his bum cheek. He has had a few operations to try and patch it up and repair it but so far none had worked. I'm still in touch with him and six years later he's still in bed!!!!

Personal fitness also is important as I find it helps with me cope both physically and mentally with life in the chair.

Rune Rider

[smacem]

Hi all

my lower back is all out of shape, first became aware of it around about 2 years or so after injury.

It aches all of the time now and when i've nothing else on my mind is very painful.
So I would agree with what others have said - posture.

Also got a bit reclusive after initially landing in the chair-maybe would have worked harder to maintain those friendships in the early days,feel i might have "pushed people away" think I was maybe embarressed with my disability - don't give a hoot now - take me as you find me.

Take care and good luck.

Edited by smacem, 21 February 2011 - 02:49 PM.

[Avocado Baby]

Well, I'm a bit different cos I have Spina Bifida and not an SCI, but looking after my bladder and what I drink to cut down on UTIs. Definitely posture!

[Scooby Gimp]

Stretching and skin care to prevent pressure sores are most important from my perspective. I've been using a wheelchair for over 29 years.

Scooby

[Hikkakaru]

I agree with everyone in this thread, but if I had to do it over I think i'd pay more attention to my mental state.

Meaning, it's easy to let yourself get stuck in a hole of "things I can't do anymore" instead of "New things I need to try now that things have changed."

Skincare and physical fitness are obviously the most important in a physical aspect, but the physical aspect means nothing if it is going towards a life that you aren't actively enjoying yourself with.

[Beautiful]

Stretching and a standing frame.

I was injured so young that I didn't think about the consequences of not doing those two things. I would stretch at physical therapy, but that was only an hour once or twice a week. I didn't really enjoy being in a standing frame much, either. It is still sitting in my garage. I have totally outgrown it -- will probably donate it. But I had to have hip surgery because they were so tight. My knees can't bend straight anymore, either.

So, after 15 years in this chair, those two things are definitely what I would go back and change

[wheelzoffortune]

Don't be afraid to try things.

Edited by wheelzoffortune, 22 February 2011 - 02:43 PM.

[rue2you]

I agree with Smiley! This is a wonderful thread! I don't have much to add because I am still new but I am reading with interest so please keep posting!

[bucsaringer]

Great post and responses,

The responses made me reflect back on the first year of my injury, and how motivated I was. It's important to get into a routine and stick to it. Get some various sized dumbbells, you can do curls, presses and a lot of other various exercises to keep your hand and arm strength up. You can do arm extensions lifting your body off your wheelchair. They make the bands, you can attach to doors and other furniture for resistance exercises. any type of stretching would be beneficial. It's very easy to get lazy and miss a day, then two days, etc.. I can tell you that from experience. Sticking to the routines and learning new exercises is the hard thing to do. Sometimes, I've fallen into the old, why do today, what I can put off and do tomorrow syndrome. The people on this site have a wealth of information to help you along and will.

Good luck and stay motivated

[bucsaringer]

Hallsim,

I guess I forgot to say, personal fitness is up there at the top of my list.

[Rune Rider]

bucsaringer, on 22 February 2011 - 06:29 PM, said:

Hallsim,

I guess I forgot to say, personal fitness is up there at the top of my list.

I couldn't agree more, don't be shy about your fitness. Contact your local gym, if they are worth their salt they will have a Personal Trainer who can talk you through some exercises and stretching that will help. I know it can be daunting by why not join a gym if you can. It will be worth it in the end. Good luck.

Rune Rider

[nomis]

Sitting up straight. I always thought I was reasonably consicentious keeping my back straight as was practical. Now, after 40+ years in the 'chair, I've developed a slight lean to the right and that will only go on to cause problems.

It can bea bit of a pain having to sit straight and it plays havoc with balance. But maybe that extra effort is worth it.

[LaurenP]

Posture, definitely, have developed rounded shoulders and my head and neck tilt forward due to compensating for back pain. Fitness is next. Wish I had paid more attention to maintaining my strength years ago. Suffering the consequences now. Skin care is important but I was smart enough to realize that. Lastly I wish I had been socially active,missed alot of the good that being more open can bring into your life, feel I lost out on quite abit.

[wheeliebear75]

Thanks to the back pain & nerves my body is in constant pain now & I even get nauseous fairly often....as in there is a bucket next to my bed that never sees a mop.

So I'd say the biggest thing I'd have done would have been to listen to the advice of the therapists from Children's Hospital & wheel it more crutch it less.....IF I'd done what they'd suggested in the 1st place then I'd have more QUALITY to my life now. If only I'd learned where the line between determination & detrimental was drawn earlier on then I'd be spending less time stuck in bed now.....but perhaps this wasn't what was meant by the post?