Question
I have a friend whose son was involved in a logging accident and suffered a C7 spinal cord injury approx 10 days ago.  He is going to Craig Institute sp? in Denver for treatment.   What can we do to help and can you give us any information about this injury?  THANK YOU.  John  

Answer
Hi John- I'm sorry to hear about your friend's son- it is a very difficult thing to go through, but it's great that he has people that are concerned about him.

First, some  basic SCI info:  the level of injury is what affects the place where paralysis starts (ie, c7 would leave him without function or feeling below his armpits.  This is variable, though- for example, most c7 people have limited use of their hands, but they can use their arms fairly well.  My injury is also c7 but I can use my hands well, although the backs of my upper arms are numb.  Why?  Who knows) Your friend's son will have to learn to get around in a wheelchair, use a catheter, put on shoes...  I was about to try to list everything he'll have to re-learn, but it's far easier to say Everything.  Everything is different when you're suddenly 2 feet shorter and your upper half is attached to what seems like someone else's body.  

People handle spinal cord injury in very different ways.  They're most often young when the injury occurs- this is good in that their health and strength can ease the pains of physical therapy- it's hard to get your arms to do all the work your legs used to do!  Some people get very angry, some refuse to believe they won't walk out of that hospital any day now- I remember a guy who was in rehab with me, maybe 35 with a wife and young son.  He yelled and griped at the doctor saying that if he didn't walk out of there it was the doctor's fault (it wasn't anyone's fault).  I don't know how long the Craig Institute will keep him, but they have an amazing place with studies into acute treatment as well as post-injury living- I can't imagine a better place to send him.  

As for what you can do- just learning about the life he's going to lead and the injury are good starting places.  If he ever comes to your house, see about how accessible your home is (going from my experience, measure the bathroom door- it is almost always too narrow).  You don't need to move to a one-story house or anything, just sort of know where problems might be.  Depending on how close you are with him, and on what sort of person he is, you can encourage him that yes, this is probably something he never expected and it is an absolutely bad time, but he can still figure out how to do the things he loved.  For example, if he loved the outdoors- there are several places that specialize in things like rafting trips and other outdoor adventures for people with disabilities.  These are generally great organizations- they actually know about your condition (a luxury- I've even had to explain stuff about SCI to my doctors) so they know what to expect and what equipment will likely suit you best.  He can still learn to drive with hand controls.  He can still have kids (if he wants to).  Just try not to jump in with these options before he is ready for them- I got alot of examples of "You can still fly a plane!" when I wanted someone to say You're right, this sucks. (pardon the slang)  It would also be helpful to see how his parent(s) are doing with the change- I think my mom who stayed with me during the whole ordeal had a worse time than I did at first because she saw more clearly than I did how hard it would be.  Plus it's your kid you're seeing it happen to, you know?  Hospital people will talk to them about what to expect, how to change their/his house, but that's not the same as having a friend ask if they need help finding a builder, etc.

Finally, I credit my bit of remaining sanity to a totally black sense of humor.  And my dogs.  Again depending on his personality type, you can always remind him he'll never have to buy another pair of shoes... (I mean no insult by this, it's hard to tell a joke sometimes when you're typing it- hopefully you understand) The ability to see, at least eventually, the humor in things even if they cause you some pain is an art.  If your friend's son is a even a little bit stubborn and still intent on living (this may come slowly, but as long as it does come) he will be able to adapt and be happy.  There will be some hard times, but that is just how it goes.  I am glad he has people around him who care about him, and I wish you all the best luck.
Leslie
ps- It's hard to wrap up everything I wanted to tell you into anything shorter than a book, but I tried to get the basic stuff.  If you have more questions now or as things progress please feel free to ask again.