17 replies to this topic

[KK*]

I am Classified as an ASIA A Complete T8/T9. My accident happened 7-5-10 released from the hospital ater 2 surgeries 10-8-10. I had thought some down time at Moms and then off I would go. Get a vehicle modified, get a handicap accessable apartment and on with life.
Well, I don't need to tell any of you what happened. I am still at Mom's, still working on getting a vehical modified and still need minimal assistance with bowel program or bathing. Am I being naive thinking that I will be able to live on my own again? Be completely independent again?

KK

[Edinburgh Colin]

Absolutely Not!
You should always be pushing yourself, assume that there are no limitations, if you find something difficult then keep trying until it becomes easier or try doing it a different way.
There is no given right or wrong way to do anything, afterall someone had to try all these things for the first time and find a way that worked and we are all different so the solution need not be the same!

Think positive, you are blessed with having the upper body functionality to enable all kinds of things and situations.
Do not let anybody tell you you can't do something and if someone does, take it as a challenge and prove them wrong!

I look forward to reading all your posts about the achievements and successes to come!
EC

Edited by Edinburgh Colin, 22 November 2011 - 05:39 PM.

[Kwag_Myers]

You'll get there, just keep working on the things you need help with to see if you can find a way to do them independently. Still, we have members in here that have someone come in to help with the issues you've mentioned. Some wheelers find a way, some sit around boo-hooing and feeling sorry for themselves!

[D. Smith]

You are absolutely not being naive. I'm just a level below you and I'm 100% independent. There is always a way, unfortunately some of it just takes time. I know especially with vehicle mods if you are going through any kind of grant or government program it will take a while. I applied through vocational rehab just to wait around a month just to find out I wasn't disabled enough to qualify for their assistance.

[paul1404]

Hi. KK with your level it's 100% a given that you will be independent , looks like your rehab left a you a bit short, how ever troll all members with the same levelas you and ask away ow thy do things, I'm sure the advice will inspire you onward and upwards. Just keep a very close watch out for sores, bladder infections, and the old bowels all under control. Pm me any time.

[RSUK]

You will get there KK, especially if thats one of your goal which you can tell it is. Its still early days and unfortunately like here in the uk once your out and in the community there are so many uneccessary delays and red tape with housing etc. keep positive

[Nailed]

Quote

Am I being naive thinking that I will be able to live on my own again? Be completely independent again?

No, you are not being naive. You can do it, but most of the time not according to your own time table or timeframe. You can do it.

[Harry3082]

KK,
From taking to you I know your pretty much Independent now! Your working ! You need very little help ! All with very little Rehab compared to most !
You have your hands full trying to get back to driving again ! I feel you want to be out there driving so badly, understandably! That it has you in a mental downer that it hasn't happened yet ! Your thinking about your own place right now I'm betting !
I wish you'd give yourself more credit for what your already able to do ! All the rest is going to fall in place for you !

Your such an over Achiever that your not realizing what you've achieved already !

The driving and being in your own place will come for sure !!! I have No doubt about it !!!

In my Prayers !

[dreamerr]

Ditto to Harry...keep up the good work you will get there.

[qbounce]

KK,

Sometimes it seems easier to allow those who are helping you with bathroom care to just do it for you so you won't take up MORE of their THEIR time. At least that's how I've felt about it.

If you haven't already, make a short term goal list of the things you want to accomplish by the end of this year. That's only 5 weeks away now, so make these ones small. Then, put a deadline on your other goals for next year.

According to Harry, above me, he's given you 14 exclamation marks for all your completed achievements thus far. Don't allow him to have used all those lines and dots in vain. In fact, I'll give you a few more as an added incentive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There, that's 15! . . . . and another . . . . and another after that!! . . . . 2 more!!! Three . . . . whew, I tired!

[Vanessamaee]

KK*, on 22 November 2011 - 03:19 PM, said:

I am Classified as an ASIA A Complete T8/T9. My accident happened 7-5-10 released from the hospital ater 2 surgeries 10-8-10. I had thought some down time at Moms and then off I would go. Get a vehicle modified, get a handicap accessable apartment and on with life.
Well, I don't need to tell any of you what happened. I am still at Mom's, still working on getting a vehical modified and still need minimal assistance with bowel program or bathing. Am I being naive thinking that I will be able to live on my own again? Be completely independent again?

KK

You WILL be able to live on your own again if your willing to put forth the effort.I will be living on my own next year at college, well Ill have a room mate but I mean... Id be on my own lol no way Im having them help with my B&B. I plan to keep them as uninformed about that kinda stuff as possible. But as far as complete independence. Its not likely. You will need to have help for home maintenance. Living in an apartment, they provide these services. But if you get a home on your own you would need to hire someone if you needed the house painted, gutters cleaned etc. But yes, you can be independent. I do all of my own care and also have a modified vehicle and I have only been injured for a little over 6 months. But I am also very impatient adn independent and pushed everything to get it done as soon as possible.

[Ginny]

It will come. Everything takes time and the healing part of our journey can be a long road. There's no reason why you can't get your vehicle outfitted, learn to manage your own cares, etc. If you need help, there are home help organizations for that. Looking back years from now, you will probably be glad you had this time at your mom's to recover to the point that you have. I hope all goes well!

[KK*]

Thank you all for such encouragement. I really needed to hear these things and I will keep in mind the guidance provided. Thank you all again for the vote of confidence. My battery has been fully charged now, so off to the races!!

KK

[Tetracyclone]

You might be naive, but not about this.

[Aparr]

KK-
It takes time and time sucks sometimes. It took 6 weeks to get my modifications done to my van. I can't explain the home because mine was done and modified before things moved in the direction they did.

You have a lot of inner drive which in the sci world I believe it is imperative to have. Without the inner drive is when you become sedentary and that's not within your being. Therefore, living on your own and the car will happen.

[Bkizz]

Aparr, on 23 November 2011 - 12:20 PM, said:

You have a lot of inner drive which in the sci world I believe it is imperative to have. Without the inner drive is when you become sedentary and that's not within your being. Therefore, living on your own and the car will happen.

I totally agree with this. I have found my level of independence is directly related to how much I try to think outside the box. You have to try to figure out what works and what doesn't...and give yourself credit when it is due.

Once I got my car modified, I felt much more independent. It gives you the sense of being an "adult" back...no more waiting around for rides from mommy or anyone else. If you have the money, things get done much faster but waiting on assistance with funding can take forever.

I made some youtube videos of my accessible home and some other "how-to" stuff that you may find helpful. Click this link. Check it out if you feel like it. Good luck to you!!!!

[Bethann]

You will be able to live alone. My husband used to leave to go hunting and I can live daily with out any help from others. Only time I've needed help is when I fall. Latest fall was when I used my scooter to walk my black lab and he pulled me over on the walk. Other than that I could live alone. Not a problem. Good luck!

[A trophy guy]

KK*, on 22 November 2011 - 03:19 PM, said:

I am Classified as an ASIA A Complete T8/T9. My accident happened 7-5-10 released from the hospital ater 2 surgeries 10-8-10. I had thought some down time at Moms and then off I would go. Get a vehicle modified, get a handicap accessable apartment and on with life.
Well, I don't need to tell any of you what happened. I am still at Mom's, still working on getting a vehical modified and still need minimal assistance with bowel program or bathing. Am I being naive thinking that I will be able to live on my own again? Be completely independent again?

KK

No. I have been living on my own now for the past seven years. Don't rush into anything, however. Be comfortable and knowledgeable about yourself and your life in a chair before you attempt to "go it alone". Thinking outside the box is important; as well as having strong self-reliant tendencies. Sometimes these tendencies can become a bit "dormant" for a person dealing with SCI.

And just because one has assistance with things that they cannot (or choose not to) do, that does not detract from their independence. Look at it this way: a rich person pays someone else to clean their house and basically take care of all the "mundane" tasks that the rich person doesn't want to be bothered with having to do. No one would question the rich person's independence. So why would a disabled person who pays someone to mow their lawn and paint their ceiling be viewed any differently?

I mean, even the most self-reliant AB is dependent on others to some extent. It's called society. None of us could get along without it; we are all interconnected and inter-dependent on it's continued success.