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Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries A GUIDE TO COPING WITH INJURIES & UNDERSTANDING THE CLAIMS PROCESS

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Chapters 1. The Unthinkable Just Happened...Now What?

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2. Brain Injuries — A Terrifying Reality That’s Not So Uncommon

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3. Spinal Cord Injuries — Cutting Off Your Brain from the Rest of Your Body

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4. What Goes Into a FAIR Brain Injury Settlement?

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5. The Fight for Spinal Cord Injury Compensation

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6. How Do You Cope with the Destruction Left Behind by a Brain Injury?

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7. Spinal Cord Injury Care — A Lifetime of Physical and Emotional Duties

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8. References

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Chapter 1

The Unthinkable Just Happened...

Now What?

It's something that can happen in a fraction of a second…

You're travelling along in your car or working at your construction job, when all of a sudden, everything goes dark. You're not exactly sure what just happened, but you know there's a serious problem. That's exactly what happens to the victims of traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.

In either event, your world is changed forever. For the rest of your life, you may have to deal with constant pain, confusion, or a loss of mobility. You may have to rely on family and friends to help you do things that you used to take for granted — like going to the bathroom, taking a shower, or eating dinner.

So, what happens next?

Where do you go from here? And what if your injury was someone else's fault? How does that change things?

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That's what this book is designed to do — help you learn how to cope with your injuries, your feelings, and everything that comes along with them. Whether you're the one that's been injured or you're trying to take care of an injured loved one, we're here to help.

We know all about acquired brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. We know how the

body suffers in both situations, and we know how those caring for the victims can also suffer. As a result, we've gathered all of the information you need to go through the claims process. Whether you're the victim of someone else's negligence or someone fighting on the victim's behalf, the journey can be a long one.

We're here to make it a little easier.

Chapter 2

Brain Injuries — A Terrifying Reality That’s Not So Uncommon

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t weighs less than three pounds, and it is only about half as long as a foot-long hot dog. Yet, your brain is the greatest “computer” that’s ever been created! It’s responsible for what you see, smell, hear, taste, feel, remember, and believe.

It controls everything you do — from scratching the itch on your nose, to jumping away when you touch a hot burner on the stove, to telling your parents you love them.

So, what happens when your brain gets injured?

When you think of everything your brain does, the thought of it being hurt in any way is downright terrifying. Unfortunately, though, it’s also downright common.

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Here in the UK, Headway estimates that about one million people go to the hospital every single year with some type of head injury. Out of them: • • • •

135,000 will have to be admitted 8,000 will be of working age 11,000 of the injuries will be severe 4,500 will need round-the-clock care for the rest of their lives

Acquired brain injuries can be traumatic, non-traumatic, or due to birth defects…

Like the name suggests, TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES are the more “violent” of the two. They can be caused by a blow to the head (like if you fall down a flight of stairs or are the victim of an assault), or they can be the result of a strong jolt (like what happens during a car accident). In many cases, someone else is to blame for these injuries — like the driver who rear-ended you or the man who hit you over the head during a pub fight.

NON-TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES are made up of things like strokes, tumors, and infectious diseases. They can do serious damage to the way your brain works, but someone’s not usually to blame for them.

VERY SERIOUS BRAIN INJURIES can occur during birth.

Many times, these injuries are due to negligent management of the delivery — meaning that a claim can be made against the medical practitioner. One condition that can result from birthing complications is Cerebral Palsy.

Just who are the people suffering from these injuries?

As you read this, 120,000 UK residents are dealing Clear Law Solicitors 0808 163 7346

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with the long-term effects of a brain injury, according to Team Brain Injury Support.

It’s estimated that 55,000 of them live in London, and when you think about it, it’s easy to see why. After all, big cities are home to much more traffic, businesses, and public events than their smaller counterparts are. Because there is so much more to do and so many more people whizzing past you, there are so many additional chances to get injured. That explains why the Brain Injury Centre estimates that more than half of the UK residents who suffer from an acquired brain injury live in a capital city.

Every time you get into a car, you’re at risk for a brain injury. But as tough as navigating those busy UK roads can be in your car, the challenge becomes even greater when you’re doing it on a cycle. According to

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Headway, the number of cyclists killed or seriously injured out on UK roads has gone up 11% since 2010 — and many of those serious injuries are brain injuries.

When you sit down and try to think of someone suffering from a traumatic brain injury, you need to think of someone who had been in the prime of their life when the injury took place. That’s because people between the ages of 16 and 29 are most likely to suffer one of these injuries. In fact, when the 21st century began, head injuries were the biggest cause of death and disability in people between the ages of 16 and 29!

And, when you picture someone with a traumatic brain injury, you should picture a man.

That’s because men are more than twice as likely to suffer one of these injuries.

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That means the highest likelihood of suffering a traumatic brain injury is a young man who hasn’t even turned 30 yet! He should be just getting ready to make the most out of his life. He should be doing things like going to college, starting his career, and

starting a family. …But instead of taking part in all of those wonderful rites of passage, he’s dealing with the life-long effects of a traumatic brain injury.

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The worst brain injuries can leave their victims severely disabled and unable to communicate. In these very severe cases, victims tend not to live as long as their non-injured counterparts.

No matter how severe your injury is (or how severe a loved one’s injury is), imagine trying to go through life with a “central computer” that’s not functioning the way it should be. Is there a bigger challenge than that?

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Chapter 3

Spinal Cord Injuries — Cutting Off Your Brain from the Rest of Your Body

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hat did you think when you got up this morning? Take a quick trip to the bathroom?

Head out for a jog? Make yourself some breakfast? Hop in your car and drive off to work?

Imagine not being able to do ANY of those things ever again.

If it seems like a strange, helpless, confusing way to go through life, welcome to the life of a spinal cord injury victim…

Your spinal cord is responsible for transmitting messages between your brain and the rest of your body (like your organs, muscles, and even your skin). So, when your brain shouts at your hand to get away from that hot burner on the stove, your spinal cord is actually the one relaying the message.

In a fraction of a second, the message comes out of your brain, travels down your spinal

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One out of five UK residents with a spinal cord injury lives in a nursing home, hospital, or some other type of specialized facility. cord, and ends up in your hand — and you pull your hand away.

Without this “messenger”, your body can’t function the way it’s supposed to!

Think about it — if your brain is talking and talking, but there’s nothing there to transmit the message, the rest of your body isn’t going to be able to do anything. That’s why spinal cord injury victims are unable to move.

Since their brains don’t have a way to hand out instructions, the rest of their bodies are physically unable to do anything.

Either way, though, it’s easy to see how a spinal cord injury can leave a lasting emotional impact. After all, when you can’t do simple things — like walk to the bathroom, make yourself something to eat, or take a walk around the block in the cool night air — it’s depressing. In fact, it’s estimated that 20% of patients leave UK spinal cord injury centers with clinical depression.

Some people with spinal cord injuries have more mobility loss than others. Here’s why…

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Many spinal cord injury victims suffer from depression AND anxiety. Because they know their lives will never be the same, they’re both sad and terrified for what the future holds.

Making matters worse, there is no cure for paralysis. So, when someone is faced with the diagnosis of a spinal cord injury, they know it’s permanent. That cold, hard reality can be very difficult to deal with — for both the victim and the people who love him. www.clearlawonline.co.uk

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Who’s suffering from these terrible injuries?

As you’re sitting here reading this, it’s estimated that 50,000 UK residents have been treated for paralysis in a spinal cord injury center, according to Spinal Research. When you take into account the treatment that other victims receive in general hospitals, that number goes up considerably.

Back Up estimates that about 1,200 people around the UK are paralyzed every year — and the vast majority of them are men. That comes out to a whopping three people injured per day. So, in the time it takes you to get eight hours of sleep tonight, one person here in the UK will have suffered a life-altering spinal cord injury!

What’s next?

Sadly, the people who suffer these injuries don’t always get to go back home. In fact, one out of every five UK residents with one of these injuries lives in a nursing home, hospital, or some other type of specialized facility. That’s because the mobility and care issues surrounding

these injuries can be so severe that they have to be addressed round-the-clock by trained professionals.

Even if a spinal cord injury victim is able to live at home, the cost to take care of him can be astronomical. The home may need to be outfitted with ramps and other special equipment, or the doors and hallways may need to be widened to accommodate a wheelchair.

He may need a special van to ride around in, too, since doctors and therapists don’t make house calls. Because these costs can add up so quickly -- along with the expense of doctor’s visits and rehabilitation sessions — it’s estimated that the cost of caring for UK residents who have been paralyzed totals more than one billion pounds each year!

There is a little bit of good news — the life expectancy of someone with a spinal cord injury is not much different from someone who isn’t injured. However, as spinal cord injury victims get older, they are more likely to develop tumors in their spinal column. So, they have to be more diligent about getting checkups as they get older, but there’s no reason why a spinal cord injury victim can’t live a very long life!

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How do people wind up with these injuries?

According to Apparelyzed, more than one-third of the UK’s paralysis cases are due to traffic accidents.

Over 40% of spinal cord injuries are the result of a fall. Another 10% of these injuries are due to sporting accidents. Sadly, when you look at the statistics, it’s easy to see that many of these injuries are due to someone else’s negligence — like a driver that runs a red light or an employer that doesn’t have the proper workplace safety protocols in place.

Chapter 4

What Goes Into a FAIR Brain Injury Settlement?

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s devastating as a brain injury can be, all of the feelings involved become even more intense when the injury was someone else's fault.

So, how do you make sure you get the compensation you're entitled to?

The brain injury claims process can be long and tricky. Plus, there are specific deadlines that you will have to meet and "hurdles" that you will have to clear along the way. The best way to make sure that your claim is successful is to hire an expert personal injury lawyer who can handle everything.

However, that doesn't mean you can get away with knowing nothing about the claims process! Lawyers often say that the best clients are the educated clients. The more you know about the brain injury claims process, the more help you can provide — which will make your chances of success go up.

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Brain injury claims come with a three-year deadline. However, there are a few exceptions to this deadline.

Let's start with the basics…

Brain injury claims comes with a three-year deadline. So, if you were injured in a car accident on January 28, 2012, you would have until January 28, 2015 to get the claims process rolling.

There are a few exceptions to this deadline, though: • Injured kids under the age of 18 are not bound to it. Instead, they have three years from the day they turn 18 to file a claim.

• If the brain injury victim dies in the middle of the claim process, the clock resets. His family will have three years from the date of his death to file a claim.

• Crime victims have to file a claim within two years, instead of three.

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They're bound to this deadline whether they go after the assailant personally, or whether they file a claim with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

• In some cases, the injuries are so severe that the victim is unable to make decisions for himself. In these cases, there is no deadline to pursue a claim, but it's still a good idea to move forward sooner rather than later.

Don't JUST stick to the deadline!

Three years may seem like a long time, but there is a lot of legal work that needs to be done to prepare your case. So, don't wait until the last minute to seek legal representation!

OK, so you've decided to file a claim before the deadline…

Now what?

First, you have to understand that brain injury claims can be lengthy.

And, the more severe the injuries are, the longer the process can take.

That's because a number of different experts will have to examine you and report their findings to the court. Each expert will play a role in determining the value of your claim.

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Speaking of compensation, how do you know how much you’re entitled to?

In the legal world, the goal of compensation is to put you back in the same position you were in before the injury took place — or, as close to it as your injuries will allow. To determine what a fair amount is, your lawyer will look at: • The severity of your injury • Wages you’ve already lost and wages you’ll lose in the future, if you can’t work • The cost of your care (even if you’re living at home, with a family member taking care of you) • The impact of the injury on your lifestyle • The impact of the injury on your family • Any expenses you’ve already incurred, or expect to incur in the future • Pain and suffering

Your lawyer will begin by contacting the insurance company working on behalf of the person at fault for your injuries. They'll press them for a decision on responsibility.

As important as it is to deal with who's responsible for the accident, your claim will also revolve around your medical diagnosis.

Brain injuries are measured on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). The Scale's range goes from 3 to 15, with 15 representing the least severe injury. Typically, a GCS score of 8 or less means that the victim has a severe brain injury.

Your medical diagnosis may change along the way. In fact, the severity of brain injuries often isn't known right away. Most doctors want to observe the patient and run additional tests before they make an official diagnosis. And, there are complications that can arise later that can change the diagnosis — like the fact that you now Clear Law Solicitors 0808 163 7346

may be prone to epilepsy. A doctor may tell you that your chances of developing epilepsy are now higher, but your diagnosis won't change until you actually start having seizures.

Once your doctor determines just how bad your injury is, your lawyer can get the claims process started. He'll start by doing an initial needs assessment — or, determining what you need to begin your recovery and/or rehabilitation. In most cases, your lawyer will fight for immediate, interim payments. That way, you can get money right away www.clearlawonline.co.uk

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to pay your bills, while your lawyer fights to get an overall compensation award.

Future expenses tend to take up the biggest chunk of your compensation. After all, you may need special equipment installed in your home in order to function, or you may need lots of rehabilitation — both of which are very expensive.

To come up with monetary amounts for each of the criteria we've listed, your lawyer will look at your case as a whole and consult with independent medico-legal experts (doctors who haven't treated you) to evaluate your injury and provide a prognosis. Once a prognosis is known, your lawyer will look at cases similar to yours to find out what other victims were awarded. From there, he can come up with the right amount. (To give you a point of reference, it's not uncommon for victims of serious brain injuries to get a few hundred thousand pounds in compensation!)

when it comes time to settle your claim.

What if the insurance company doesn't want to pay?

A good lawyer will push hard for a settlement. After all, it's faster and easier if everyone can agree on a fair compensation amount without going to court. However, if the insurance company insists on low-balling you, the case will go in front of a judge.

A judge will also be needed if the victim is unable to make decisions for himself. In this case, a "Litigation Friend" will bring the claim on the victim's behalf, but a judge will have to sign off on the final settlement arrangement to make sure the victim gets a fair amount.

Luckily, good personal injury lawyers will offer a no-win-no-fee arrangement — meaning that if you don't win your case, you don't have to pay them anything. That way, you don't have to risk going broke to pursue a claim!

Once your lawyer does all of the research, he will prepare a Schedule of Loss — a document that sets out all of your past and future losses and provides evidence in support of them. This is a very comprehensive document, and it will be heavily relied upon

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Chapter 5

The Fight for Spinal Cord Injury Compensation

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here's a reason why we call it "fighting for compensation". When you're dealing with a spinal cord injury, you usually have to fight with the insurance company to get what you're entitled to!

However, it's crucial to get a fair payout, if for no other reason than because living with a spinal cord is so incredibly expensive. You need to get enough money to make you as independent as physically possible.

To do it, though, you'll need an experienced personal injury lawyer. Luckily, the good ones will work on a no-win-no-fee basis — meaning that you won't have to worry about legal bills on top of everything else!

Finding the right lawyer is important, be-

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cause you need the best expert possible to guide you through your fight.

And the fight could be a long one! Because spinal cord injury cases are so complex, they can take several years to sort out. If your injuries were caused by someone else, there will likely be a lot of finger-pointing before you receive any compensation. The person who crashed into your car or the boss who didn't have proper safety protocols in place probably isn't going to admit that he did anything wrong. And, in many cases, insurance companies offer to only pay a tiny amount — in hopes that you'll simply take the money and go away.

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Be prepared to fight for what you deserve!

Like brain injury cases, filing most spinal cord claims has to be done within three years of the date of injury. (Check out Chapter 4 to find out if you're exempt from this three-year deadline.) To get your claim up and running, your personal injury lawyer will sit down with you for an initial interview. In it, you'll discuss: • The costs of your care, both now and in the future (including transportation fees — like travelling to and from your rehabilitation appointments, for example) • The costs of any special equipment that you may need • The loss of your future earnings • Your pain and suffering As important as the extent of your injuries is, there are a variety of other issues that will help determine your compensation. Things like disability rights, welfare benefits, and pension payments will all come into play, as well.

Speaking of outcomes…

Your lawyer should start by fighting for immediate compensation payments. After all, you have bills that are piling up by the day! You need to get those initial expenses taken care of right away, so that you can make ends meet while your lawyer fights for an overall settlement.

When it comes to the final outcome of your case, your lawyer will likely need to rely on several experts to make your initial case to the insurance company — or to combat the insurance company's decision down the road. For example, you may need an independent doctor to prove how serious your injuries really are, or an accident expert who can prove which driver was at fault.

After discussing all of these issues, your lawyer can explain your chances of receiving compensation — along with how much he thinks your case is worth. Depending on how severe your injuries are, by the time all is said and done, you may be entitled to millions of pounds! With so much money on the line, it's crucial to find a lawyer who's a true expert. He should be able to help you navigate through the claims process AND genuinely care about the outcome!

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Like brain injury cases, filing most spinal cord claims has to be done within three years of the date of injury.

If your claim is successful, your compensation will be awarded in one of two forms — you'll either get a lump sum, or a combination of a lump sum and annual payments to cover the rest.

Along the way, though, you may run into some common insurance woes…

If you try to collect from your own insurance policy, you may be out of luck.

That's because some policies specifically exclude spinal cord injuries. If yours does, it becomes even more important to pursue a fight against the person who caused your injuries. It may be your only recourse!

Of course, going after the other insurance company can be a long and tedious process. If you've used every single avenue of recourse — and you still haven't gotten the money you're entitled to — you can file a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman. You'll have to file within six months of the insurance company's final decision, and the Financial Ombudsman's decision is binding — meaning you won't be able to challenge it in court later. Your attorney can tell you if this is a better option than presenting your case to a judge.

What if you can't turn to an insurance company?

If you were injured in an accident where the other driver was uninsured, or if the other driver is untraceable (like what happens in hit-and-runs), you're not out of luck. But instead of going through an insurance company, you may be able to file a claim with the Motor Insurers' Bureau.

To do so, you'll have needed to report the accident to the police within five days and file your claim with the Motor Insurers' Bureau within nine months of the date of the accident.

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Chapter 6

How Do You Cope with the Destruction Left Behind by a Brain Injury?

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he person who has a traumatic brain injury isn't the only one suffering. If one of your loved ones has been injured, you're suffering, too — albeit in a different way.

So, how do you deal with it all?

First and foremost, you probably feel like you have to be the "strong one" all the time. After all, your loved one is going through so many physical and emotional changes that you probably feel like it would be silly or selfish to cry, get angry, be frustrated, or even take care of your own needs.

However, that's the exact OPPOSITE of what you should be doing!

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When you see your loved one suffering, it may be tempting to skimp on sleep or to ditch that nutritious meal in favor of something faster at the drive-thru window, but that's no way to treat yourself. You need to take care of yourself so that you can be at your very best — for BOTH of your sakes!

You don't have to paint the town red in order to get some relief, though. Even brief breaks from your care responsibilities can feel huge. For example, meet a friend for a quick cup of coffee, and talk about other things besides your loved one's condition. A little bit of gossip, or even just a little time laughing can provide the break you need!

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you should also , e b n ca y il m fa s and een there and b “ e As great as friend v a h o h w le r of peop tap into the powe a brain injury support done that”… in jo to is lf se ur yo of care od reason! Caregivgo One great way to take ith w d an e, er th t them ou group. There are lots of loved one is injured: a n he w ns io ot em of e ers go through a rang inally diagnosed. ig or is ry ju in e th n he ed w sis, and trying to fig>> First, they’re terrifi no og pr a ng tti ge s, or the doct their loved one goes n They’re busy talking to he w be to g in go e t things ar ure out just how differen home. lp their loved one he d an ce fa e av br a put on everything from do ay >> Then, they have to m r ve gi re ca od home. A go d when he finally goes iptions, fluff pillows, an cr es pr l fil ts, en tm in po ap drive to rehabilitation victim is going through e th l, al er ft (A s. st ur r outb think he may take his bear the brunt of ange to l ca gi lo s It’ n! ow s ster of hi an emotional rollercoa people around him!) e th on t ou n io at tr us fr anger and e responsibility of th ith w al de to s ha r regive explain to their young >> From there, the ca to ve ha ay m ey Th . e loop one calls from family ph keeping everyone in th nt ta ns co ld fie ay m , or they children what happened victim’s progress. e th t ou ab s nd ie fr d an to deal with these ay w ly on e th s, se ca y ? In man s.

Sounds exhausting, right le who are in your shoe op pe r he ot to lk ta d an emotions is to sit down

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Emotions aside, a good caregiver has a number of important responsibilities when a brain injury victim is ready to come home. So, if you want to create the best possible environment for your loved one, you need to: Make sure your home is ready for the challenge Even if your loved one isn’t in a wheelchair, will he be able to navigate the stairs? Is the hallway to the bedroom going to be too long of a walk for him to manage every time he gets out of bed? Will you have to shuffle your home’s organization a bit — by turning the downstairs office into a bedroom, or moving your loved one from the master bedroom into a guest room?

Once you’ve got the logistics down, there may be accessories you can install in your home to make things easier — like a special railing to grab onto next to the stairs or a special seat in the shower. However, if your home is just too complex for a brain injury victim to get around in, you may have to consider moving. (As stressful as that may sound, it’s better than having to send your loved one to live in a nursing home!)

Think about how you’re going to combine work and caring Even if you’re only going to be a part-time caregiver, you may need to cut back on your hours at work. Or, if your current job requires a lot of travelling, you may need to look for one that keeps you closer to home.

One thing that many caregivers have to adjust to is working, period. If your spouse was the breadwinner before his injury — and will never be able to return to work — you will have to find a way to become the breadwinner AND manage your care duties.

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Come up with a plan to handle your loved one’s physical and emotional problems Think about your loved one’s daily routine long before he gets home. That way, you won’t have to figure things out “on the fly”.

For example, if you come up with a way to get your loved one into the shower and dressed every morning, his first grooming session will be far less stressful. You need to think of ways to make his physical limitations as unnoticeable as possible — and that’s where trained experts and/or a support group can be very useful!

You’ll also need to have a plan for dealing with any emotional issues that arise. Like we discussed in Chapter 2, brain injury victims are prone to depression, mood swings, anger outbursts, and trouble dealing with other people. Your loved one may take out his frustrations on you, or he may be happy one minute and furious the next. While all of this is normal, it can be incredibly stressful for you!

Remember, he’s not just dealing with his injury. He’s also dealing with the reality of missing out on college, never being able to have a successful career, or never being able to run around and play with his kids. In any event, you need to prepare yourself and come up with a plan to avoid snapping back, getting into an argument, or doing anything that could make the situation worse.

Think about whether you need someone to help you If it can be worked into the budget, you may want to hire a nurse — even one that only works part-time. That way, you’ll be able to have some downtime that isn’t related to care giving. And, of course, a nurse will come in very

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handy during the night shift!

Even if you can’t afford a professional, talk to your friends and family members about pitching in a helping hand from time to time. You may not want to heap too many responsibilities on them, but even the “little things” can be a tremendous help — like having someone run a few errands for you, or having someone sit with your loved one while you clean the house.

Also, talk to your local authority about respite care. In many cases, they will be able to provide support and alleviate your burden of being a full-time carer!

And, remember, “help” doesn’t always have to mean asking for favors. If you feel un-

comfortable asking others to pitch in with your care duties, don’t hesitate to bend their ears from time to time.

Simply sitting down and talking to someone might be just the boost you need!

“Caring” may be one of the hardest jobs in the world — especially when the person you’re caring for has a brain injury. However, with right tools, the right support, and the right mindset, you’ll be able to succeed at it!

Chapter 7

Spinal Cord Injury Care — A Lifetime of Physical and Emotional Duties

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While spinal cord injuries typically create conversations about a loss of mobility, there are other complications that you need to know about. The biggest is organ function.

IF THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROVIDING THAT HELP FALLS ON YOUR SHOULDERS, KEEP READING!

Back in Chapter 3, we discussed how the spinal cord acts as a messenger between the brain and the rest of the body. When those messages can't be passed along, the other

ew things are worse than seeing someone you love fall victim to a spinal cord injury. And, no matter how severe the injury is, your loved one is going to need lots of help, every single day.

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It will be up to you to help your loved ones deal with difficult emotions, such as depression, on a daily baisis. parts of your loved one's body can't function — and that loss of function extends into the organs.

Specifically, people with spinal cord injuries can have trouble breathing, they may be unable to control their bladder or bowels, and they may not be able to control their body temperature.

That means it will be up to you to make sure your loved one's special breathing apparatus is clean and working properly, that he has a clean diaper, and that you always have a blanket on hand to keep him warm.

In order to make both of your lives a little easier, spend some time learning about all of the technology that's available for spinal cord injury victims. Between your loved one's insurance and any compensation he may have received, you should be able to take advantage of all kinds of equipment.

These days, spinal cord injury victims can feel a little more "normal" with tools like: • Motorized wheelchairs that are made out of lighter materials, so that they're easier to maneuver • Voice recognition computers, so that you don't have to play "secretary" every time your loved one wants to send an email or send out a Tweet • Aids for your electronic devices, like a voice-activated remote control for the TV • A motorized machine to lift your loved one out of bed, so that you don't have to struggle to do it • Special vans so that your loved one has an easy way to get to his doctor's appointClear Law Solicitors 0808 163 7346

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ments and meet up with friends. You'll still have to drive him, but the actual transportation process will be a whole lot easier!

Aside from these physical responsibilities, you'll have emotional ones, too.

We've already talked about how spinal cord injuries and depression seem to go hand-in-hand, so your loved one may benefit from meeting with a qualified therapist on a regular basis. However, even the best therapist isn't available 24/7! That means it will be up to you to help your loved ones deal with his feelings on a daily basis.

What kinds of feelings are we talking about? >> It’s very common for spinal cord injury victims to feel isolated. After all, getting around is difficult. He can’t just hop up and meet a group of friends for drinks on a whim. Instead, he’ll need to make sure that the bar is wheelchair-accessible, and he’ll need you to help him get dressed — which can take awhile when you suffer from one of these injuries! That’s why it’s not uncommon for spinal cord injury victims to say “oh never mind” when it comes to their social lives. >> Your loved one may be depressed because he’s so dependent on other people. He may feel like a burden to the people who love him. And, making matters worse, if your loved one is one of the many spinal cord injury victims who got hurt in his younger years, these feelings may be even stronger. After all, he used to think of himself as “Superman”! Now, he can’t do anything on his own. >> Your loved one may develop self-esteem issues. It’s not uncommon for people with these injuries to feel “ugly” because of their wheelchair or any of the equipment that goes along with it. In fact, your loved one may hate to look in the mirror. >> Count on your loved one spending at least part of his time being angry. In fact, he may be downright furious that his life has turned out this way.

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So, how do you help him deal with these feelings?

His therapist may have some specific tips for you, but one of the best things you can do is to focus on having a “CAN” attitude, instead of a “CAN’T”. For example, instead of talking to your loved one about how he CAN’T climb the mountain with the rest of the family, talk about how he CAN meet up with everyone for the big breakfast beforehand. Or, instead of talking about how he CAN’T go out and play football with the kids, focus on how he CAN go outside and offer valuable coaching tips from the sidelines.

By simply shifting your focus, your loved one’s experiences will have positive feelings associated with them!

But what if YOU need some help staying positive?

That’s where spinal cord support groups come in. By joining one, you can meet people in the same situation as you — working night and day to care for an injured loved one. You’ll be able to talk freely, vent your frustrations, and get valuable advice from people who have been there and done that.

And, as an added benefit, you’ll have an entire group of shoulders to lean on. Anytime you can feel a sense of camaraderie is a good thing!

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Another big step you can take towards making things easier is to stay organized. Spinal cord injury victims tend to have a lot of doctor’s appointments and rehabilitation treatments. So, come up with a schedule, and have a special tool to keep you organized — like a calendar you can take everywhere, or a special scheduling app for your smartphone.

Most importantly, take care of YOURSELF. If you feel guilty or selfish for taking some time to do things that YOU like, don’t. It’s important to maintain your own identity. So, stay in touch with your friends, and have conversations about things other than how your loved one is doing.

The last thing you want is to become nothing more than a carer. As committed as you are to your loved one’s care, you need to make sure that you do everything you can to ensure that BOTH of you thrive!

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References Headway: The Brain Injury Association www.headway.org.uk/key-facts-and-statistics.aspx Team Brain Injury Support www.teambraininjury.co.uk/brain_injury_the_statistics.html Brain Injury Centre: www.bicbraininjurycentre.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62& Itemid=211 Spinal Research: www.spinal-research.org/research-matters/spinal-cord-injury/facts-and-figures/ The Back-Up Trust: www.backuptrust.org.uk/about-spinal-cord-injury Apparelyzed: www.apparelyzed.com/statistics.html Clear Law Solicitors  0808 163 7346

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