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What role does denial play right after a spinal cord injury?

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What role does denial play right after a spinal cord injury?

Transcript More videos by Lisa Rosen More videos on this topic

It's hard to accept that this is how it's going to be. A doctor may come in, and tell you you'll never walk again, but you don't want to give up that hope that you may walk again. And, that's a hard thing to accept. So, sometimes, it's easier to just, "Well, that's not me. Those people in wheelchairs, that's just, I'm not a part of that group; I'm going to walk out of this hospital." And, if a health care professional mentions anything about grouping you with those people in wheelchairs, or a wheelchair user, it's very difficult. And, that's where the denial helps ease the pain to not, not jump in that group, and just stay on the bandwagon of hopefulness of the walking. A lot of families are proud of their son, or daughter, brother and sister, and their accomplishments, and have defined them a certain way. And now, when your identity—essence of who you are—you don't have those definitions, they have changed. It's very difficult for the family to accept that, now they have to find out who this person is, or explain to people, or convince people this is still the same person, even though they look different.

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FacingDisability.com is an informational and support website for families facing spinal cord injuries. The website does not provide medical advice, recommend or endorse health care products or services, or control the information found on external websites. The Hill Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) private operating foundation established by Robert Hill and Thea Flaum.

737 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1560 , Chicago, IL 60611.

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FacingDisability.com is an informational and support website for families facing spinal cord injuries. The website does not provide medical advice, recommend or endorse health care products or services, or control the information found on external websites. The Hill Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) private operating foundation established by Robert Hill and Thea Flaum.

737 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1560 , Chicago, IL 60611.

© 2011 – 2023 Hill Foundation for Families Living With Disabilities

Photography by Rona Talcott