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Having a Purpose and Meaning in Life after an SCI

It is human nature to want to live a live with purpose and meaning. For some people going through a Spinal Cord Injury it may take those feeling away. For those of you living with an SCI do you still feel like you have meaning or a purpose in your life? This is a question I have asked myself many times.
As crazy as it sounds, I honestly feel like my SCI gave me a greater purpose in life. It changed the way I thought about everything. My injury changed me as a person for the better and I believe my purpose in life is to help others. Spread awareness and educate the uneducated about spinal cord injuries. Having a meaning in life has helped me to continue persevering and moving forward in my life living with a SCI. I have accomplished more in my life right now than I would have in my entires previous life. I went to college and graduated with a bachelors, accepted into grad school, faced my biggest fear and spoke in front of strangers sharing my story, started my own YouTube Channel, and so much more. My disability is the reason I am going into counseling so I can help the lives of others. I want to inspire and motivate people. I want to show others that no matter the obstacles life throws at us, we can overcome them and live a fulfilling life. Thinking about the path I am on now and making a difference in people's lives puts a smile on my face. The feeling I get inside of my body is conformation to me that I am on the right path. I believe this is where I am supposed to be. I used to view my accident as a negative and focus on all the things it took away from me. Now I look back and see all of the amazing opportunities that have come about because of this injury. What gives you meaning and purpose in your life?
I am wondering if anyone else has the same beliefs or experience as I do. Would love to hear others perspectives, even if you disagree.
As crazy as it sounds, I honestly feel like my SCI gave me a greater purpose in life. It changed the way I thought about everything. My injury changed me as a person for the better and I believe my purpose in life is to help others. Spread awareness and educate the uneducated about spinal cord injuries. Having a meaning in life has helped me to continue persevering and moving forward in my life living with a SCI. I have accomplished more in my life right now than I would have in my entires previous life. I went to college and graduated with a bachelors, accepted into grad school, faced my biggest fear and spoke in front of strangers sharing my story, started my own YouTube Channel, and so much more. My disability is the reason I am going into counseling so I can help the lives of others. I want to inspire and motivate people. I want to show others that no matter the obstacles life throws at us, we can overcome them and live a fulfilling life. Thinking about the path I am on now and making a difference in people's lives puts a smile on my face. The feeling I get inside of my body is conformation to me that I am on the right path. I believe this is where I am supposed to be. I used to view my accident as a negative and focus on all the things it took away from me. Now I look back and see all of the amazing opportunities that have come about because of this injury. What gives you meaning and purpose in your life?
I am wondering if anyone else has the same beliefs or experience as I do. Would love to hear others perspectives, even if you disagree.
Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be. -SONIA RICOTTI
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Comments
Being a quadriplegic and enduring what we have in life has implored people to actually listen to us and in turn, think deeply about their own lives which gives us this incredible opportunity to utilize this platform we’ve been given and capitalize by creating and putting out as much positive content and vibes as possible that might just be able to change peoples lives and leave the world a better place!
Pre injury I was living for myself. Post injury I live for others!
@cruiseybabbby Same with me man. I was only 15 and had so much growing to do. For me, my injury matured me in ways I never would have if my accident never happened. You are totally right in that with everything that we have been through, people do want to hear what we have to say and we have an amazing opportunity to make ourselves heard. Really well said about living your life for yourself and now living it for others. Love it!
Brooke here - I love this post. Your positive attitude is such a gift and I relate to everything that you are saying. If my husband hadn't been injured there are so many things that would not have happened in our lives.. as hard as it is to say this, it has been a blessing for me. Yes its hard for him (for both of us), and he's not quite at the place that I am at yet with accepting his new role in life, but I truly believe things happen exactly how they're supposed to as an opportunity to grow and heal. There have been things presented to us in life since his injury that are truly miraculous- and we have learned so much about one another. If you can get to a place where you can view the injury this way - and truly see the positives that can happen- you can conquer all the set backs that happen along the way. - Brooke (WAGS of SCI)
(Elena and Brooke)
Thank You everyone for your advice, input and encouragement.
I have a question. How did you overcome your anxiety and depression. I am sure you still deal with them but have learned to better handle them. I have someone very close to me who struggles with both and it controls their life.