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What’s the best advice you have for spouses or partners after a spinal cord injury? - Michelle Meade, PhD

What’s the best advice you have for spouses or partners after a spinal cord injury?

Michelle Meade, PhD

Psychologist, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Read Bio More Videos by Michelle Meade
Transcript
I guess—I’m trying to think—some of it is who you have, your husband or wife, your spouse, they’re the same person, but they’re going through an extraordinary set of experiences. Be there with them; experience it with them. You won’t unde... Show More

I guess—I’m trying to think—some of it is who you have, your husband or wife, your spouse, they’re the same person, but they’re going through an extraordinary set of experiences. Be there with them; experience it with them. You won’t understand everything, but this is affecting you, too. And the more you can discuss what the process is, and not be afraid and shy away from the questions or the moments that get awkward, the better you’ll go through this. Trying to figure out the strengths and how to bring those out of the individuals. I guess for me, what I’ve seen is learning to live with a spinal cord injury well is a lot about transferring existing skills.  And so the more you can help bring or remind the individual about what makes them them, about the strengths they can bring to deal with the situation, the better it will be.

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What’s the best advice you have for spouses or partners after a spinal cord injury?

Michelle Meade, PhD

Psychologist, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

More Videos by Michelle Meade
Transcriptadd

I guess—I’m trying to think—some of it is who you have, your husband or wife, your spouse, they’re the same person, but they’re going through an extraordinary set of experiences. Be there with them; experience it with them. You won’t understand everything, but this is affecting you, too. And the more you can discuss what the process is, and not be afraid and shy away from the questions or the moments that get awkward, the better you’ll go through this. Trying to figure out the strengths and how to bring those out of the individuals. I guess for me, what I’ve seen is learning to live with a spinal cord injury well is a lot about transferring existing skills.  And so the more you can help bring or remind the individual about what makes them them, about the strengths they can bring to deal with the situation, the better it will be.

What’s the best advice you have for spouses or partners after a spinal cord injury?
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