SPINAL
Life SCOTLAND
A few years ago, Steven decided to tell his story by writing a blog. Now Spinal Life Scotland is happy to share extracts from that blog with you.
The Whole Truth will continue to feature in future editions of Spinal Life Scotland and previous editions of the magazine can be found at www.sisonline.org.
THE WHOLE TRUTH STEVEN’S STORY
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Steven is a volunteer with Spinal Injuries Scotland, who had an accident 12 years ago leaving him with no movement below his neck and needing a ventilator 24 hours a day. Despite these challenges Steven is an example that no disability should mean an end to fun and enjoying life.
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You can also follow Steven's story on twitter @choose_living
THE BUBBLE BURSTING During my 15 months in hospital I stayed motivated by focusing on the day when I would eventually be discharged and able to get back home. I still had short term goals while in intensive care like being able to eat, drink and talk again, sitting up in bed and eventually getting into a wheelchair. Next was a move to the Philipshill rehab ward where I concentrated on chest management, strengthening my neck muscles, developing a steady bowel regime and creating a care package for living at home. All this work was designed to help me reach my ultimate goal of getting out of hospital and getting on with my life. I never realised that the greatest challenges were still to come. I would only face them when the bubble of being in hospital was burst and I was challenged with building some sort of meaningful life again. Over those 15 months in hospital I was surrounded by the best medical care available and the reassurance of having fantastic nurses on hand if anything went wrong. I was comfortable living in an environment with so many other wheelchair users to help me feel like a 'normal' part of society. When I eventually got home, the reality of life in a wheelchair was overwhelming. I was physically ready for life away from the hospital, but psychologically, I was not prepared for how difficult life was about to become.
