What coping strategies work best for family members after a spinal cord injury? - Toby Huston, PhD

I lots of times see family members—whether they be a parent or a spouse—decide in their own mind that the role they need to play is one of a cheerleader, and they need to be the rock for that person and they don’t need to let the person see them cry or scared. I think sometimes that drives a wedge between the person who’s doing the supporting and the person who has got the injury. I think we’re better off when we’re open and upfront about our emotions with that other person because there’s a lot of overlap. The person is scared and I think if you can acknowledge as their loved one there are moments when you’re really scared too, that that really connects with them in the journey.