A spinal cord injury (SCI) resulting from a car accident is a life-changing event. What should these injured individuals and their families know about how their lives might change after such a serious injury?
How can a spinal cord injury impact a person’s body?
A spinal cord injury can deeply affect many parts of the body. Here are some challenges people might face after such an injury:
- Mobility issues: The injury can cause partial or complete paralysis. Paraplegia and quadriplegia are two types of paralysis that can happen.
- Chronic pain: Many people with spinal cord injuries deal with ongoing pain. This pain can be physical or neuropathic (nerve pain). Managing this pain often involves medications, physical therapy and other treatments.
- Respiratory and cardiovascular health: Injuries high up on the spinal cord can affect breathing muscles and lead to breathing problems. Injured people might also face issues like blood clots.
Since the spinal cord doesn’t heal itself, these problems might be permanent.
How can a spinal cord injury impact someone’s emotional life?
After a spinal cord injury, the big changes in lifestyle and body functions can cause serious mental health issues like depression, anxiety and PTSD. Adjusting to a new physical state can really affect someone’s identity and self-view. Getting psychological support and counseling is key to adapting to these changes.
How can a spinal cord injury impact someone’s relationships?
Relationships with family and friends can become strained as everyone adjusts to new daily routines and caregiving roles. Open communication and professional help can assist in dealing with these changes.
How can a spinal cord injury impact someone’s career?
Going back to work or school can be tough. It is important to have changes made in the workplace or school to make things accessible, and understanding from supervisors and teachers is crucial. Sometimes, the injured person might not be able to return to their old job or be able to work at all.
How can a spinal cord injury impact someone’s finances?
The costs for immediate and ongoing medical care, like physical therapy, medications, and devices to help with mobility, can be very high. According to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, the expenses for living with paralysis from a spinal cord injury can exceed $1,000,000 over a lifetime, and some injuries can cost more than $4,700,000.
People might also need to spend a lot on changes to their homes to make them wheelchair-accessible. This often includes installing ramps, widening doorways, and modifying bathrooms. They might also need to buy adapted vehicles that can accommodate wheelchairs, which adds to the financial burden.
A spinal cord injury from a car accident brings about deep and lasting changes. It is important for injured individuals to understand the full extent of these impacts, especially if they are considering a personal injury lawsuit. This knowledge helps in planning for the necessary adjustments and support needed to manage life after the injury.