Hello everyone- Just wanted to introduce myself- I'm Patty, my boy Jason who is 17 was injured last year at T 4/5 while riding motorcycles. He has recovered as well as can be expected and is doing well but has trouble sometimes. He likes to do everything by himself and gets frustrated when he has difficulties, as I'm sure all of you know all about. I hope that by reading here and asking questions I can help him without helping him, you know?
Registered: 04/06/00
Posts: 24616
Loc: SLO County, CA - 66.122.77.142
Hi Patty, if you haven't already gone to http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/index.php, you need to go. Not only are there young spinal cord injuries who Jason should get to know, there is a private caregiver area where YOU can discuss your thoughts & concerns.
Good luck to Jason & you!
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"A lot of things were acceptable--until we stopped accepting it." -- Al Sharpton '12
Hello Patty. Jason is young and will have many frustrations but they are nothing he will not learn as time goes on. Patience not only from him but from everyone around him will also help him out.
I'm the wife of a paraplegic who is also a stroke survivor (and is doing terrific, btw!). 'Frustration' is probably the best word to use, regarding both the wheelchair user and the caregiver (if that is how you see yourself). But for me, the 'frustration' is HUGELY outweighed by the rewards and the inherent goodness and stamina inside us all.
Thanks for the welcomes you guys! Jason is as independent as hell.. Or at least tries to be, so it makes it hard to help without hovering and or annoying him.. But I still try.
Eventually maybe I can talk him into joining too- after he realizes he doesn't have to do it *All* by himself.
