11 replies to this topic

[youwhat]

Hello everyone, it's taking me a little while to work up the courage to post a hello message but here goes

My name is James, I recently injured myself in june of last year and I am now a complete L1,2 and 4 paraplegic. What happened you ask? Well maybe I am too open with people but I prefer to be, I tried to kill myself and although it wasn't the first time in this case it was quite extreme. I jumped off a multi-story car park at my local shopping center, which in total I now know was a 53 foot fall. Luckily for me I landed in a tree which although it broke my back sort of saved my life

I suffered 4 broken ribs, a punctured right lung (from where on off the branches went in) and completley shattered my L1 and 2 vertabrae while fracturing the L4. After being stabalised and such, much to my amazement I was still alive and the irony in it I was back where I started the day which was at work. I worked as a porter in my local hospital for 4 years before this and went to work in the morning as normal but left shortly after arriving to do the deed. So it was wierd to say the least but at the time I got alot of support from people there (and chocolate yum).

I went to a different hospital to have an operation to stabalise my spine, I didn't like it there but the operation lasted 5 and a half hours, the consultant had to peform a spinal fusion surgery to repair the damage and the gap in my lumber region (whoops). But it was successful although I have been told there is no chance what so ever of regaining feeling below my waist. I went back to my local hospital a few weeks later to say goodbye for a short while before going to rehab.

I had my rehab at a place in oswestry called the RJAH hospital for short, I was treated in the Midlands Spinal Injuries unit there which was awesome. The hospital was really accessible and the people there were great, the nurses, OT's and physio's were top notch and alot quicker than I expected and importantly for me I was out before my 21st birthday . Out at the end of October with my birthday at the beginning of november so I was really pleased!

Things have not been easy since I got out (are they ever?) but gradually I am coping better each day, I live with my father in a house still undergoing adaptions to help out and make it easier for me to live properly again. But I hope to meet people and discuss some of the things that are important and concern all of us I look forward to browsing through and seeing what advice other people can give and hopefully give some myself.

Nice to be here

James

[firemaiden]

Hi James and welcome to the site! It's a wonderful bunch of people on here. You only need to read the posts to see that. Read plenty, ask any questions you like (someone is likely to know the answer or at least give advice) and put your tuppence worth in anywhere you think you can help. I can't recommend this place highly enough, it's been so helpful to me.

[marlee]

Welcome James~ I agree with firemaiden on all aspects

[cate]

firemaiden, on Mar 26 2008, 12:02 PM, said:

Hi James and welcome to the site! It's a wonderful bunch of people on here. You only need to read the posts to see that. Read plenty, ask any questions you like (someone is likely to know the answer or at least give advice) and put your tuppence worth in anywhere you think you can help. I can't recommend this place highly enough, it's been so helpful to me.

Hi James. Welcome to the site. You sound as if you are doing well, and sound upbeat. which is a surprised as your injuries are self inflicted. so you must have been feeling really down beat at that time. I am sure you will get a lot of help on this site, when you need it. there is also humour that helps to keep things going. Hope you continue to remain upbeat
Cate.

[kewlcatkez]

Hello James,

Good to meet you, although its sort of bitter sweet that its under these circumstances. The bitter is the injury, the sweet - that you are still here to tell the 'tale'. I worked in a hospital - as a qualified Nurse. I specialised in Cardiology, although worked in other areas too. I am also no longer working in a clinical setting. I am paralysed (chair user for around about 3 years) and to add to the paralysis, 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.-). I also have the other stuff which goes with all of this ( pain, POTS etc). I am a Mother to 2 beautiful children ( 5 and under) and wife to some bloke, lol.. I tend to hang out here adding my penny's worth to threads, lol Not been on so much of late ..won't bore you (anymore!) with me though...

I hope that you feel at home here. There are some very knowledgeable and caring/amazing people here. You are at the beginning of your journey and as time passes, it does get easier. Easier to do the day to day etc.

Glad that you are here, too. Hopefully we can learn from one another,

Take care,

K

[Motor]

youwhat, on Mar 26 2008, 07:48 AM, said:

Hello everyone, it's taking me a little while to work up the courage to post a hello message but here goes

My name is James, I recently injured myself in june of last year and I am now a complete L1,2 and 4 paraplegic. What happened you ask? Well maybe I am too open with people but I prefer to be, I tried to kill myself and although it wasn't the first time in this case it was quite extreme. I jumped off a multi-story car park at my local shopping center, which in total I now know was a 53 foot fall. Luckily for me I landed in a tree which although it broke my back sort of saved my life

I suffered 4 broken ribs, a punctured right lung (from where on off the branches went in) and completley shattered my L1 and 2 vertabrae while fracturing the L4. After being stabalised and such, much to my amazement I was still alive and the irony in it I was back where I started the day which was at work. I worked as a porter in my local hospital for 4 years before this and went to work in the morning as normal but left shortly after arriving to do the deed. So it was wierd to say the least but at the time I got alot of support from people there (and chocolate yum).

I went to a different hospital to have an operation to stabalise my spine, I didn't like it there but the operation lasted 5 and a half hours, the consultant had to peform a spinal fusion surgery to repair the damage and the gap in my lumber region (whoops). But it was successful although I have been told there is no chance what so ever of regaining feeling below my waist. I went back to my local hospital a few weeks later to say goodbye for a short while before going to rehab.

I had my rehab at a place in oswestry called the RJAH hospital for short, I was treated in the Midlands Spinal Injuries unit there which was awesome. The hospital was really accessible and the people there were great, the nurses, OT's and physio's were top notch and alot quicker than I expected and importantly for me I was out before my 21st birthday . Out at the end of October with my birthday at the beginning of november so I was really pleased!

Things have not been easy since I got out (are they ever?) but gradually I am coping better each day, I live with my father in a house still undergoing adaptions to help out and make it easier for me to live properly again. But I hope to meet people and discuss some of the things that are important and concern all of us I look forward to browsing through and seeing what advice other people can give and hopefully give some myself.

Nice to be here

James

HEY JAMES AND WELCOME. ASK ME ANYTHING AND I WILL ANSWER I AM NOT SHY, THEY CALL ME MOTOR FOR A REASON! MY STORY IS ON HERE SOMEWHERE!

GOOD LUCK

RICHIE AKA MOTOR

[Kev-O]

welcome man. Im around your age so i might be able to help out. Remember life in a wheelchair gets essayer over time. Me personally i took it kinda hard at first but now i could care less if i ever walk again.

[longhaul]

Welcome. It really doesn't matter how we get in this situation what matters is what we do with this time we have now. Keep a sense of humor don't stay mad laugh often don't judge others and the ride can be enjoyable. See ya around.

[E-DOG]

Young James,
Dude, you've come to the right place!
The only thing more fun than a barrel of monkeys is a site full of paraplegics! (and quads)
You said it was lucky the tree was there.
Given yer new condition, ya still sound glad the "attempt" failed.
Back in the life, I gave it a try or two; and in retrospect I've been delighted by my incompetence.
Stick around and you'll be informed, entertained, enlightened, but never ignored.
We of the chair will be Kings and Queens of this, the new millenium, and you my boy, are now a part of us!
Welcome, you lucky dog, welcome.
E-dog

[Kev-O]

E-DOG, on Mar 28 2008, 01:24 AM, said:

Young James,
Dude, you've come to the right place!
The only thing more fun than a barrel of monkeys is a site full of paraplegics! (and quads)
You said it was lucky the tree was there.
Given yer new condition, ya still sound glad the "attempt" failed.
Back in the life, I gave it a try or two; and in retrospect I've been delighted by my incompetence.
Stick around and you'll be informed, entertained, enlightened, but never ignored.
We of the chair will be Kings and Queens of this, the new millenium, and you my boy, are now a part of us!
Welcome, you lucky dog, welcome.
E-dog

wow i kinda wanted to start the slow clap after reading this post lol

[Emily C]

Hi James and welcome.
It's so nice to hear as upbeat as you sound. I wish u the best of luck. You'll find a LOT of helpful people and advise here, it's a pleasure to help others when we can!!

[Avocado Baby]

Hi there

Welcome to the site! I'm sure you'll love it. It's a fantastic place!