[City Girl]

I am a 43 year old female with a full life: educated, professional, urbane, mentally & physically active, wife and mother to two teenagers. On September 15, 2007, I fell 15 feet from the upper level of my two-tiered deck onto my back, incurring a T12 incomplete SCI...and in that split second, my life changed forever.

I had spinal surgery resulting in a six-vertebra fusion: T10-L3, with two titanium rods and twelve screws. I have had no complications from the surgery. The broken vertebra has healed properly and the incision is barely noticeable.

In the six months, I have experienced a range of emotion but, overall, I have maintained a positive outlook regarding my injury. Physically, I have recovered full-sensation and some physiological & physical motor function, favouring my right side. Currently, I use a manual wheelchair as my primary mobility but I am able to stand and balance for brief periods of time and I am just starting to walk with the use of equipment.

I have a million questions that only someone who has experienced SCI could answer. I would be interested to hear from other women with same or similar injury to mine.

[Lucydog]

me, me, me!! drop me a line and we can chat.
sorry have to fly for now!!!

cheers
L

[kewlcatkez]

Hello,

Great to 'meet' you. you sound like the kind of person I strive to be! Positive etc etc I hope that you feel at home here, there are many great people, always willing to offer help and lend an ear whenever needed/wanted! My "story" can be found HERE.. but for the sakes of introductions, I am a Mum of 2 kiddies (5 and under) and am married to some Bloke! I trained and worked as an RN: I now am in the paralysed 'club' (chair user for around about 3 years) My "story" is complex though ( story of my life LOL)and I am far from the every day paralysis affected person, whatever that may be..lol.....as I have severe dislocating EDS ( means I dislocated multiple joints, multiple times daily - which although were present before, were not every day..now they are as a result of hormonal influence, an accident and the fact that it usually progresses due to the trauma of the proceeding dislocations etc etc.- has gotten worse over last few years). I also have the other stuff which goes with all of this ( pain, POTS, Autonomic dysfunction -like AD etc). etc etc. I too strive to be positive and I find that having a sense of humour certainly helps even if it can be a challenge to have one at times...

Anyway, hope to see you around etc,

Take care,

K

[Kwag_Myers]

Hey City Girl.

We have a lot in common. I fell about the same distance, T12 incomplete, and my rods go from T10 to L2. I'm walking short distances with a cane (mostly 'cause my balance is not so good). Oh, and Toronto is one of our favorite cities. We honeymooned there, and revisited for our 20th anniversary.

Let me tell you, you've just struck gold by finding this place. These people are not only great to hang out with, but very knowledgeable, too. I am amazed at some of the things they come up with; ways of doing things, etc.

And I know what you mean about the emotional aspect of what we're dealing with. It starts to even out after a while, but still I have bad days physically, which tend to bring me down emotionally. I'm blessed to have good support from family and church.

Keep up with your exercises. And never be afraid to ask a question, no matter how personal or silly it may seem.

Cya! And welcome to the forum.

[Momto3chicks]

Hey there...we have the same "six-vertebra fusion: T10-L3, with two titanium rods and twelve screws" I am also incomplete, however, my injury occured back in '89 when I was just 15. I too have quite a bit of sensation and movement, favour my right side and can walk short distances with my walker (and splints 'cause I can't move my ankles) but do use my chair most of the time.


I live just about 30 minutes north of Toronto, outside Caledon (Bolton) I could try and answer any questions you have. Are you in rehab? Or were you? Lyndhurst?

Well I must go..I have 3 kids in need of a meal...LOL..

ttys,

Kelley

kelley@295.ca