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Regaining Your Quality of Life After a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Regaining Your Quality of Life After a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Posted by Living Spinal on May 17th 2021

A Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) has a significant impact on your life — for it changes a lot of things forever. Most of all, it takes away your independence and ability to perform activities that you could before the injury. Some people with SCI may even have a hard time adjusting to their new life and feel sad from time to time.

But having a spinal cord injury doesn’t mean you can’t lead a good quality of life, nor does it stop you from enjoying things you like. Many people are able to work, engage in sports, drive, foster relationships, and carry a range of activities after SCI, though with the help of personal mobility products, rehabilitation, and other resources.

Factors Affecting Your Quality of Life

Once you have suffered a spinal cord injury, several factors play a meaningful role in your quality of life. These factors often include the level of independence, employment status, relationships with friends and family, support group, and many others. Should you focus on these areas of your life rather than on things that you can’t control, you can lead a fulfilled and high satisfying life, setting a shining example of how to make the most of your life after SCI.

Factors Associated with Lower Quality of Life After SCI

Studies so far have shown that the inability to move around or complete loss of movement is most associated with lower quality of life after SCI.

When a spinal cord injury results in functional impairment or disability, which is often the case, an individual is likely to lead a less-than-ideal life. However, personal mobility products can be of great help in restoring their mobility and independence.

Other than limited mobility, older age and the presence of SCI complications, such as neuropathic pain, spasticity, loss of bowel control, and sexual dysfunctions, also result in a reduced quality of life following SCI.

The financial burden of a spinal cord injury has also been found to have a profound impact on the quality of life. With treatment costs and medical expenses crushing the financial stability, it can often be challenging for people with SCI to have peace of mind and lead a stress-free life.

Factors Associated with Higher Quality of Life After SCI

When it comes to factors that play a role in improving the quality of life after a spinal cord injury, independence is still the most prominent one. Those with no mobility impairment after SCI or those who turn to mobility aids bought from paralysis equipment stores tend to have a higher quality of life.

Besides, people who live longer with SCI are found to have a better quality of life than those who don’t.

Other factors that can help an individual with SCI lead a fulfilling life are support from family and friends, employment, advanced education, and rehabilitation.

If you are looking for a paralysis equipment store to help your loved ones with SCI regain their mobility and independence, get in touch with us today. We will provide you with the best mobility equipment suited to their needs and your budget.