You have something to do. You will be involved in hospitalization and rehab, getting the attention of medical staff, being visited and called, doing the work of recovery and gaining independence. Family members are often left wanting to do more, wishing they could help, and having too much time to think about what has happened to you. Your family is caught in a storm of emotional experience immediately after your trauma. They are confronted with a medical emergency, questions of life and death.
Few people are prepared to respond to such an overwhelming catastrophic event.
Patient and family are rarely able to comprehend the implications of the injury. Your family might feel quite helpless. This is a natural reaction of anyone to trauma. I think that reversion is important. It makes them really celebrate each achievement, whether it is taking a step or going to the bathroom without a catheter.