[My Son Just Became A Paraplegic]

Our Paraplegic 38 Year Old Son Coming Home from Rehab Soon, We have lots of questions to be answered so we can be ready.

His injury is T6. He has no movement below his nipples. He suffered no head trauma in the accident.

He has full use of his arms, neck and head. He has no difficulties breathing.

We will be having a fmaily meeting or two before he comes home, but I have put together a list of questions in the mean time.

Could you please look it over and give me your thoughts, comments and suggestions?

I am sure there is a lot of stuff I have not thought of.

The information is in an Excel Spreadsheet. If you cannot read it, let me know and I can put it in Word format or cut and paste it into a message.

Thanks

Questions For Our Son to Come Home From Rehab

[Simon]

Hi Dad

Are you in the USA or UK?
A lot on your list in the UK would be provided i.e. bed, medical supplies.
Some home adaptions like ramps and door widening and necessary alterations could be paid for as well though funding can take a while.
He should be able to wear normal undergarments like boxer shorts.
Being a T6 he can look after himself or should be able to, so no care needed. He should be able to transfer from chair to bed, toilet etc easily. You'll probably need grab rails for the toilet.
Also he can drive himself with an automatic car fitted with hand controls.

Its always daunting but the home visit/case study should clarify the requirements.
Good luck
Simon

[Apparelyzed]

Hi,

In addition to Simon's comments, you may find this usefull with regards to your son's abilities.

http://www.apparelyz...lity/t5-t9.html

If he has been to a good rehab centre, then he should of been taught most of the basic skills to live independantly, such as transfering, dressing, bowel and bladder care.

Some of these skills will come with time, and plenty of practice.

I know it'll be hard to see him struggle with some of these things when he comes home, but it is vital that you do not "Mother" him too much, and let him do tasks for himself. Time and time again, I hear of people with a spinal cord injury, just letting others do things which they themselves are more than capable of doing, but don't because the additional help is the easier option.

The first two years will be the hardest, and during this time, he will be finding new ways of doing things, and as his stamina builds up, he will be able to do more and more for himself, to the point that he should eventually be able to live on his own independantly.

I hope the above advice is of some use to you.

Best regards

Simon (aka Apparelyzed)

[My Son Just Became A Paraplegic]

Simon, on Feb 27 2007, 09:21 AM, said:

Hi Dad

Are you in the USA or UK?
A lot on your list in the UK would be provided i.e. bed, medical supplies.
Some home adaptions like ramps and door widening and necessary alterations could be paid for as well though funding can take a while.
He should be able to wear normal undergarments like boxer shorts.
Being a T6 he can look after himself or should be able to, so no care needed. He should be able to transfer from chair to bed, toilet etc easily. You'll probably need grab rails for the toilet.
Also he can drive himself with an automatic car fitted with hand controls.

Its always daunting but the home visit/case study should clarify the requirements.
Good luck
Simon

We live in the USA. Thanks For the reply.

Apparelyzed, on Feb 28 2007, 01:11 AM, said:

Hi,

In addition to Simon's comments, you may find this usefull with regards to your son's abilities.

http://www.apparelyz...lity/t5-t9.html

If he has been to a good rehab centre, then he should of been taught most of the basic skills to live independantly, such as transfering, dressing, bowel and bladder care.

Some of these skills will come with time, and plenty of practice.

I know it'll be hard to see him struggle with some of these things when he comes home, but it is vital that you do not "Mother" him too much, and let him do tasks for himself. Time and time again, I hear of people with a spinal cord injury, just letting others do things which they themselves are more than capable of doing, but don't because the additional help is the easier option.

The first two years will be the hardest, and during this time, he will be finding new ways of doing things, and as his stamina builds up, he will be able to do more and more for himself, to the point that he should eventually be able to live on his own independantly.

I hope the above advice is of some use to you.

Best regards

Simon (aka Apparelyzed)

Thank you for the reply. this is a great site.

[miss piggy]

Hi
Can't add any more than what's already been said .But i wish u lots of luck