Learning to live with a spinal cord injury

On Behalf of | Mar 3, 2020 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

Trucks on U.S. Route 165 and I-20 carry passengers, produce and a variety of merchandise and commercial goods through Louisiana every day. Despite advanced safety features and solid construction of most passenger cars, the human body still gets damaged when involved in a collision with another vehicle. 

According to the University of Michigan, the spinal cord is the bundle of nerves extending from the lower back to the base of the brain. It carries messages between the body and the brain, which allows you to feel touch and move. When damaged, the spinal cord stops sending messages, starting just below the injury site. Damage in the middle of the back typically affects the legs, causing paraplegia. Injuries to the neck affect the arms and chest also, resulting in quadriplegia. 

Even when treatment begins quickly following the trauma, each person’s injury is unique. Sometimes the damage is temporary, and life continues as before once the swelling or bleeding stops. Sometimes the accident results in a permanent disability. When life is forever changed after spinal cord damage, adapting to your new normal takes time. The significance of the change depends on the severity and location of the trauma. 

Rehab helps individuals permanently injured, both emotionally and physically. For some people, rehab stops after they learn how to manage their new circumstances; for others, it is part of around-the-clock care that will continue for the rest of their lives. Over time, the cost for physical therapists and care teams can become overwhelming. Family members often need help learning to cope with their own issues as well as those of their loved ones.