CPA Ontario

Yes. Many men and women with SCI work successfully at a variety of jobs, from engineer to chef, from teacher to pharmacist. Get familiar with job accommodations (modifications in equipment, procedures, duties or hours) that will enable you to do your work. Often, employers are open-minded about hiring qualified people with disabilities, but may need your guidance when it comes to the nitty-gritty of accommodating your disability. Check out CPA Ontario's Employment Services.

You bet. A spinal cord injury can affect sexual function, especially in men, but lots of folks with SCI will report that they enjoy a very satisfying sex life, thank you. For men who experience erectile dysfunction after SCI, there are a variety of medications and devices that make erections possible. Talk to your doctor. Whether you’re male or female, the key to a sensational sex life is becoming comfortable with your changed body, and having clear and easy communication with your partner.

Of course. Fertility in women is usually completely normal within a few months of the initial injury. It’s a different story for men with SCI: most have problems with ejaculation and/or sperm quality. But assistive reproduction technologies, which are advancing all the time, have enabled many men to father biological children. Other men with spinal cord injuries choose to build their families through adoption, which is another option.

You can. When you’re planning a trip, think about how you’ll get there, where you’ll stay, what you’ll do and how you’ll get around while there. Then do your homework. You’ll find a variety of transportation, accommodation and activity options that are wheelchair accessible. Ask air carriers or hoteliers specific questions about your particular needs. Talk to other people with disabilities about their favourite trips. The secret to a successful travel experience is lots of planning!

Absolutely. Sports, like many other activities, can be adapted for people with disabilities. The rules might be revised, and the equipment modified, but the adrenalin rush is as exciting as ever. You can go downhill skiing on a mono-ski, play basketball from a wheelchair, even steer a sailboat with sip-and-puff controls. Get started by contacting one of Canada’s many disability sport organizations. Check out CPA Ontario's Recreation Resource Section.

Go for it. Many people with SCI learn to drive using hand controls, a simple set of mechanical extensions that allow you to apply the brake and gas pedal with your hand instead of your foot. There are also gadgets to help you grip the steering wheel, or start the ignition. If you have a van modified with an automatic ramp or lift, you’ll be able to drive without even getting out of your wheelchair.

Sure. Universities and colleges across Canada have made great strides in their services to students who have disabilities. Their campuses are more wheelchair accessible than ever, and their support services are in place to help you make the grade. There are also a range of bursaries and scholarships targeted to students with disabilities.

Why not? Medical advancements have been helping to improve the life expectancy of people with SCI. And you can stack the odds in your favour by taking care of your medical needs, eating a well balanced diet and being physically active. Stick to a healthy weight. Build a strong social network. Find effective ways to deal with stress, like relaxing, meditating or wheeling in a park. All these steps can help you live longer.