What is the one thing you have struggled with most since your injury?

garrisonredd

I would like for individuals to share what they have struggled with post injury

jaarch

The biggest thing for me is having to call a repair man for things that need fixing around the house. I have always been a "Mr. Fix-it" and to have to pay someone to do something that I used to easily be able to do is very frustrating. I have had limited success in directing the repair of a few things through my wife and son but, they are not as mechanically inclined as I am and I can easily go over their head with my explanation. 

Sterlion

@jaarch I can see how that can be hard. My struggle is kind of similar to that. I have played almost every sport that is popular in the US. Football, basketball, soccer the list goes on. So not being able to have a special kind of control over the task my body performs can be tough. I do my best to focus on what I can do instead of what I can't. I'm thinking there is still a lot that would take a lifetime so I shouldn't be bored anytime soon. 😁

Zcollie

The hardest thing for me that I struggle with after my injury is the loss of independence I once had. I know that is very broad, but I was such an independent person before my accident. It is hard to not be able to do a lot of the things I took for granted before my SCI. Like @Sterlion said I do my best to focus on what I can do and not what was taken from me. I missing be able to jump up out of bed take a quick shower, get myself dressed, make breakfast and head off to school for the day all in the matter of 30 mins. I could go on and on about the things I miss, but don't think about it a lot anymore. 

cruiseybabbby

My biggest struggle is similar to that of @Zcollie .
The issue of independence and just not being able to do what I really want to do on my own… Needing someone else to initiate the goal that I wish to achieve was and is still a bit frustrating at times but just like every other issue in the life of a SCI, I don't put energy or focus on it. I simply figure it out and complete it however necessary!

garrisonredd

 I like that @cruiseybabbby
I am the same way I just figure things out

WAGSofSCI

Thank you for openly sharing this you guys. It's so important to keep these perspectives especially as partners of men with SCI.

leksa

My loss of independence was devastating. I have to ask people to do almost everything for me now. I am a quadriplegic and have been in a nursing home for nine years. Quite a few of the people who reside at the nursing home have Alzheimer's. It's a terrible disease. For the most part the only people that I have to talk to are the staff. I have an interest in art, history, nature and technology. Fortunately I can use Dragon software to get around on the computer. Otherwise I would go mad staring at the TV all day. Google and YouTube are my go to sites to explore. I love YouTube! I don't dwell on the past it serves no purpose. People who complain day in and day out are toxic. I try to be positive always moving forward.