Adjusting to Life after Spinal Cord Injury

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Peer-reviewed fact sheets and videos designed to help people living with spinal cord injuries manage daily care and maximize independence by medical and clinical experts in SCI care, patient education, and research. Information provided undergoes systematic review from medical experts to ensure accuracy and currency with best-practice research.

Sources include the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s LIFE Center and the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center which both provide fact sheets on topics specific to spinal cord injury – anatomy and physiology, nerve function, and levels of injury. Understand common terms such as paraplegia, quadriplegia, tetraplegia, complete and incomplete injuries.

Discover best-practice techniques in mobility and safe transfers, information on bowel and bladder function, surgical alternatives for bladder management, skin care and pressure sores, respiratory health, autonomic dysreflexia, spasticity, and pain management. Find additional information on maintenance of manual and power wheelchairs, exercise after spinal cord injury, options for adaptive sports and recreation, tips to minimize depression, and adjustment to life after spinal cord injury.   

Fact sheets to support social and emotional wellness include topics on sexuality, dating and relationships, employment and education, peer support, and managing caregiver stress.

Adjusting to Life after Spinal Cord Injury Having a spinal cord injury is without doubt a new and challenging situation. SCI affects almost every aspect of your life when it happens, and it can be hard to put life back in order and adjust to living with SCI. This initial adjustment period may be hard, but most people adjust well in time. Then, they continue to adjust to ongoing changes in life similar to those that everyone experiences.