Spinal cord injuries can occur for various reasons, such as a car accident. These injuries may have permanent effects on someone’s health and drastically change how they live their life.
Individuals dealing with severe symptoms may require constant care and support. If you have a loved one dealing with a spinal cord injury, you can play an active role in their recovery.
Spinal cord injuries can be life-changing
Injuries to the spinal cord can have devastating symptoms. Some serious ones include:
- Total or partial paralysis
- Reduced capacity to feel sensations and temperature
- Constant pain
- Weakness
- Difficulty controlling bladder and bowel movements
These serious symptoms can significantly affect important parts of a person’s life. For example, it can make it challenging or even impossible for them to work and thereby jeopardizing their source of income.
They may develop mental health problems stemming from their physical symptoms. Spinal cord injuries may even impact their ability to maintain relationships. This is why love and support can be crucial for an individual’s recovery and rehabilitation.
You can be a part of the healing process
If you know someone struggling with the symptoms of a spinal cord injury, there are ways for you to participate in their healing. Consider:
- Offering your support: Your care and affection can make all the difference in the world to someone dealing with a spinal cord injury. A simple gesture, such as talking to them about their feelings and situation, can provide them with a much-needed emotional outlet. This could help their mental health. You can also assist them as they go through their rehabilitation process and other medical procedures.
- Allowing them to grow: It is also important to establish boundaries. This is because constant care can become overbearing and patronizing. Someone contending with a spinal cord injury may want to feel independent as they navigate through their ordeal.
Spinal cord injuries can turn someone’s life upside down. But you can play an important and positive part in your loved one’s recovery.