109 replies to this topic

[isobar]

Slowlegs, on 15 August 2008 - 05:40 AM, said:

Looking past the injury (if you can, I know it is hard) and the health consequences of your injuries. Do you consider your life to be better or worse post injury with regard to the new person you have become inside.

I was a nice person before my injury in good health. I'm a nice person
now and my doctor says i'm healthy now you're just paralyzed.To
me my life is worse with regards to all you go through to live a
so called normal life. To be healthy with all body function is
real wealth and no one can dispute that. If you became a better
person after such a devastating life altering thing like this
then you weren't much of a person to began with.

Edited by isobar, 19 September 2010 - 03:35 AM.

[michelle smith]

I am cool with how I am now. I have a loving husband whom I married post injury, I was able to return to my job, I have a nice home and good friends.

My life at times is different because I do things in a chair, but much of what we did pre injury we do now. I know I can only speak for me but I am ok with being paralysed.

Michelle

[Astack23]

airart1, on 16 August 2008 - 05:09 PM, said:

u must have been living one shitty life for it to be better post injurie is all i can say...................

i second that

[Tetracyclone]

isobar, on 19 September 2010 - 03:34 AM, said:

I was a nice person before my injury in good health. I'm a nice person
now and my doctor says i'm healthy now you're just paralyzed.To
me my life is worse with regards to all you go through to live a
so called normal life. To be healthy with all body function is
real wealth and no one can dispute that. If you became a better
person after such a devastating life altering thing like this
then you weren't much of a person to began with.

Yes, that sums it up. Still, one can learn much from terrible experiences, and I imagine some SCId "found the light" as they passed through this trauma.

[jscott92064]

isobar, on 19 September 2010 - 03:34 AM, said:

Slowlegs, on 15 August 2008 - 05:40 AM, said:

Looking past the injury (if you can, I know it is hard) and the health consequences of your injuries. Do you consider your life to be better or worse post injury with regard to the new person you have become inside.

I was a nice person before my injury in good health. I'm a nice person
now and my doctor says i'm healthy now you're just paralyzed.To
me my life is worse with regards to all you go through to live a
so called normal life. To be healthy with all body function is
real wealth and no one can dispute that. If you became a better
person after such a devastating life altering thing like this
then you weren't much of a person to began with.

Isobar - I could not agree with you more.

Edited by jscott92064, 21 June 2011 - 08:29 PM.

[Eric T]

Considering I was a single 22 year old male who probably drank alcohol too much, it has to be YES.

[Terrible Texan]

Not that i was 100% happy before my accident, i was 100% happier than i am now. at least i could wipe my own ass, & enjoy the love of a sweet woman, feel her touch, the warmth & the pleasure, both giving & recieving. Having to depend on someone for every aspect of your life, including being fed like a baby. This life sentence i gave myself is one i wouldnt wish on nobody.

The answer to your question is, WORSE

[Harry3082]

Dealing with the daily trials of being in my condition has made Me mentally a much Stronger, more aware of how many people have it worse then I person!
Too answer the question the way it was worded.!!

[dreamerr]

Way better before. I feel like I have no life now. I consider myself an ATM for my family and just feel used all the time. I can't do anything that I find productive. I haven't found anything fun in this way of life. I know a lot do but I am me and I don't. I have tried different things and nothing has been fun for me yet and it is almost 5 years. I feel like I just exist.

[Zack]

Craziest question I was ever asked! It's worse.

[wheeliebear75]

Well inside yes I've grown considerably since my accident....but then again I think that is the ONLY WAY to "triumph" over paralysis even though the paralysis is still there.

So am a bigger person spiritually & all that stuff? YES!

Would I trade the "personal growth" in for my old body back? In a HEART BEAT!

Yes I grew I just don't think it was "worth the cost".

[goose]

My normal life was so many years ago....wait ...I'm not sure I was ever normal!

This is my life. I try to make the best of it BUT I'd prefer walking/normal any day to life in a wheelchair. I'm sure alot of things would have been different BUT I'll never know for sure now. I miss my independence and I miss being able to use my hands. I really miss doing things on the spur of the moment......oops...this isn't the I MISS thread!!!!!LOL

[A trophy guy]

First of all, the poll question was terribly constructed; the way it read made no sense. It asked if you considered your life better or worse, post SCI and then gave two boxes marked yes or no. They should have said better or worse.

But this is a very interesting question; one not easily answered in a short reply.

Of course it sucks not having use of my lower body. What person with any use of their brain would argue with that? The problems that living with such a condition present on a regular, daily basis are myriad and well known here. I would much rather be able to just use my body the way it was meant to be used. Not only would it be good for the physical (and accompanying psychological) components, but it would be good for the social and inter-personal components as well.

With all that being said, I also think I've learned (and am learning) more about myself, and in turn my family and our love has deepened in a way that never would have occurred had I not had my accident and become paralyzed. It has brought out who I am; both the good and the bad. These characteristics and qualities always were part of my fabric but my fabric had never been "pulled taut" until my life changed with my SCI.

As I've grown as a person, I've become more and more aware of my responsibility for myself. The good qualities are what will get me where it is that I am going. I owe a big part of own consciousness of these qualities to being in a wheelchair. But the bad qualities; these are still there as well. And I feel the same way about these; I never would have brought out the negative qualities of my character in such a forceful or intense manner had I not ever become paralyzed.

So I feel I have a responsibility now to fully understand and overcome (to the best of my abilities) these negative aspects of my personality or character. I feel a responsibility because I never would have had this opportunity for such critical self-examination and chance for personal growth without the wheelchair.

So, in summary, I guess I can't answer the thread's question. My life is an ongoing event. I'll tell you my opinion when it's over. ;) I was an immature 20 year old kid when I was in my accident. The world was smaller back then. But I will say this: the bad things are really bad and can be difficult to overcome. But the good things are really good and beautiful now.

Edited by A trophy guy, 03 December 2011 - 07:00 AM.

[Irish Wheelz]

Um... I don't think post sci relates to me. I had cancer at 1 year old. I could say that I learned a lot from growing up being sci. I don't know if my condition actually gotten worse or better though. As a child, I went from cane to walker to using cane and walker part time then got my first wheelchair at 8. When I had the wheelchair, I would use the walker for short distances and wheelchair long distances. Due to my body growing crooked, it was difficult to walk. So I started using the chair more. I still had partial use of my lower body. When I had surgery for a rod to be put in my back to straighting me out. I lost total feeling in my lower half. I couldn't move my legs, feet or toes. As I grew older, I had physical therapy and lots of doctor visits. I started regaining my feeling back in my lower half, not full feelings though, just partial. I can now move my hips a little. Although I accepted the fact that I may never walk again, with everything I learned in the past, I'm actually better of where I'm at. I have been taught to be independent in the wheelchair. I live on my own, pay my own bills, cook my own food, and make my own journey. I went through hell to get where I'm at, I aint ever gonna give up. But I did not do this all on my own. I had many helps from friends, family, and amazing people I have met in my life. I like where I'm at right now.

I hope I can use my experience to help other cope with their disability and learn new things to better their lives.

Edited by Irish Wheelz, 03 December 2011 - 07:23 AM.

[Tetracyclone]

wheeliebear75, on 03 December 2011 - 06:35 AM, said:

Well inside yes I've grown considerably since my accident....but then again I think that is the ONLY WAY to "triumph" over paralysis even though the paralysis is still there.

So am a bigger person spiritually & all that stuff? YES!

Would I trade the "personal growth" in for my old body back? In a HEART BEAT!

Yes I grew I just don't think it was "worth the cost".

I doubt anyone with true wisdom thinks that the matter of getting it was "worth the cost". Deep learning comes from being torn limb from limb, whether emotionally, physically, or both.

[Edinburgh Colin]

I say yes, but it's very simplistic. I'm a glass half full person and if I allow that view to take centre stage then I am a better man now. I have a new found appreciation for my wife and am so grateful that it has I believe increased my love for my children. The fact that I have to work from home means I get to spend so much more time with them.
I just know in my previous existence I would have missed so much of this part of their livesand I am so grateful to be in the position to appreciate that I have this opportunity.
Still stinks to be gimped though.

EC

[Terrible Texan]

dreamerr, on 16 October 2011 - 03:51 AM, said:

Way better before. I feel like I have no life now. I consider myself an ATM for my family and just feel used all the time. I can't do anything that I find productive. I haven't found anything fun in this way of life. I know a lot do but I am me and I don't. I have tried different things and nothing has been fun for me yet and it is almost 5 years. I feel like I just exist.

I think alot of us feel this way, but we have to push forward

[dreamerr]

Way worse cause now I can't do the things I enjoy doing.

[lavenderthistle]

I'm on the flip side here. I'm a walking injury and I appreciate life like I never did before. I have to struggle more, I have to pace myself, I have to slow down....slowing down I've seen the things I was too busy to see before. Staring at my feet when I walk I've seen those little layers of life I just stepped on before as I rushed along.

I'm not saying "wow this is the greatest thing since free slurpees at 7-11!!" But I can't change it, so I might as well accept it and find the joy in the little things....all those little things I took for granted.

So, when I feel the darkness hitting, or I'm dealing with a day I can't handle because of too little sleep, or doing something I didn't fully plan out, or when I feel overwhelmed by life and frustrated because I just can't keep up anymore.......I try really hard to find that one good thing I can focus on and be grateful for. I am facing a lot of issues still and have not a clue what the future holds. I know that for today I will be grateful for what I have and will continue to do my best not to take things for granted even on the worst day.

[rollingtrouble]

Oh its waaay better for me now, but then I got mental issues. I can't do some of the things I used to, and that's probably good for all concerned. I like getting into trouble, and its harder to do now. Sometimes when I see a little trouble I can get off into, by the time I get there its gone . Overall, as long as I take my crazy pills, its all good!