Home » About Spinal Cord Injury » Introduction

Six things that can help you heal.

 
  • Positive self-talk. Instead of telling yourself that no one will want to hire you or find you attractive, or that you’ll never have a family, remind yourself of your job skills, your lovability, your sparkling personality.
  • Self-care. Look after your medical needs and your general health. Avoid self-destructive behaviours like smoking or drugs.
  • Problem solving. Faced with a challenge? Be creative with a solution. Research shows that people with SCI who have good problem solving skills can more easily reach their goals.
  • Accepting help… and offering help. Know when to ask for and receive assistance. That can be an important part of problem solving. But don’t forget that you have something to offer others as well.
  • Doing things you enjoy. Now’s the time to put pleasure back into your life. Are you a nature lover? Get out of doors! Have a hobby? Why not rediscover it?
  • Connecting with peers. Share your ups and downs with other people with SCI – people who really get what you’re going through. CPA Ontario’s Peer Support program is a place to start.

Fast Fact:

Paraplegia is the loss of sensation and movement in legs and in part or all of the trunk, usually resulting from an injury to the spinal cord below the neck.