A Community Unites for an SCI Survivor

I love seeing that so many people have come together to help make hockey a safer sport. Take a look at the video below and visit the Jack's Pledge website!

FacingDisability: a new way to look at spinal cord injuries

Families suddenly faced with a new spinal cord injury often feel alone.  It seems that no one understands their new situation in a way that helps them deal with the uncertainty that lies ahead.  That’s why the Hill Foundation of Chicago created the new website, FacingDisability.com, to connectfamilies facing spinal cord injuries with other who have been there before them. 

FacingDisability has more than 1,000 videos drawn from interviews with over 100 people with spinal cord injuries, and their mothers, fathers, siblings, children and caregivers.  They were asked the same 48 questions on topics such as “First Days after SCI” and “SCI Rehabilitation,” and about their relationships and plans for the future.  It is the only place on the internet where you can see and hear a range of real-life experiences.

For example, Mary Ellen, whose daughter became quadriplegic in 2005, said connecting with other SCI families kept her going.  “Looking back, I think the things that were the most helpful were touching base with other families and parents who had had a child that was injured. And a child that was reasonably, recently injured, within the last four-five-six years. It was helpful talking to those people because they had been through the hard part that we were going through and they had come out at the other end, so you knew it was possible…they were really optimistic, they were encouraging, and it let us know that eventually, even though we didn't feel okay now, that eventually, things were going to be okay.”

Darren, who became quadriplegic at age 20, said he’d learned to: “Listen to yourself, and do things at your own pace, on your own terms.  Because everyone’s going to have lots of great advice for you, but in the end, you have to live your life, you have to be comfortable with things at your own pace.  And so, kind of do things when you’re ready, and listen to your heart…you have to learn that you’re limited by a pretty clumsy body now, especially if you’re a higher- level injured person.  And I think just learning how to patiently exist inside this body takes a lot of time.”

It can be helpful to see and hear people like you, so FacingDisability videos are arranged by relation to injury as well in by question.  You can watch individuals with SCI, parents, spouses, siblings and children, and filter your search by level of injury (paraplegic or quadriplegic), gender of person injured and age at injury.  Follow this link to see all of FacingDisability’squestions and answers on living with paralysis.

FacingDisability also interviewed top spinal cord injury experts on their fields of expertise.  The “Expert” section has over 200 videos covering topics on what most people need to know right away, such as “Spinal Cord Injury 101,” “Transition from Hospital to Home,” “Sex and Fertility after SCI” and “Adjusting to Social Life in a Wheelchair.”

One of the best ways to deal with a new injury is connecting with someone who has “been there.”  FacingDisability has a “Peer Counseling” service, for people who want to connect one-to-one through an email system.   To ask for general help, or to share your experience, there is also a “Forum” section.

Finally, FacingDisability.com has a “Resources” section made up of over 300 of the best spinal cord injury resources on the net. 

FacingDisability.com was established by the Hill Foundation of Chicago.  Their mission is to provide Internet-based information and support for people with spinal cord injuries and the members of their families. Connecting with the life experiences of others who have been there before often helps people find the strength and support to face their new lives ahead.  For more information, contact FacingDisability at info@FacingDisability.com.

Thank you to Anne at FacingDisability for contributing as a guest blogger!

Not Your Typical Reality Show

A new reality show featuring the lives of four part time models is set to debut in April! You’re probably not that excited, right? I mean, let’s face it, we’ve all seen this premise one too many times.

But, what if I told you these models are all wheelchair users due to accidents or physical ailments? 

“Push Girls” will follow these four women through their daily lives. Gay Rosenthal, the show’s producer, also created "Little People Big World." In an article written by Sean Daly from the New York Post, Rosenthal explains that she believes "Little People Big World" helped others accept little people. One of the cast members explains that, although they are all in wheelchairs, the show is about so much more. It’s about their positive attitudes and ability to enjoy life.

I can’t wait for “Push Girls” to hit the air! I don’t see this being just like any other reality show. I think it will touch people’s lives and  give others a glimpse into the realities of wheelchair users, the ups and the downs. But, most importantly, I think it will break down barriers and show people that we are just like everyone else.

New Device for TBI Survivors

Stars and Stripes recently reported about a new device that will help TBI survivors.

It’s no secret that traumatic brain injuries have affected many of the men and women who have served in Iraq. In some instances, these injuries are apparent. However, not all brain injuries are easily diagnosed.
In many cases, patients have to undergo expensive tests for doctors to understand just what has occurred and how extensive the damage is. These tests take time and prevent doctors from treating survivors promptly. Another major downfall with current diagnosing methods is that some tests aren’t even considered accurate. So, you can understand the frustration of our troops and their families.

Fortunately, the future for TBI survivors seems much brighter! A new portable device is expected to come out soon that can determine a patient’s condition at the scene of the accident. The test actually measures light reflection to determine if bleeding in the brain has occurred. Although not all brain injuries cause internal bleeding, this new device will help diagnose patients with those that do.

If this device reaches the public it will make a HUGE difference for our military men and women!