Moving on involves more than just accepting the vast lifestyle changes, it is also about allowing a process of change within. Whether they choose it or not, people recovering from SCI s may find that their life roles become quite different compared to pre-accident days. A brick layer is not likely to return to the work site, an athlete may never train or compete again, a mother who yesterday so deftly cared for her small baby now requires that sort of physical care herself. This isn t to say that their injuries have changed their respective personalities, or that their hopes and desires are necessarily any different now. Will, personal power and potency, sexuality and humour are not elements of our physicality they are inherent in our emotional and psychological character.
Survivors traverse incredible emotional extremes and can discover what they re really capable of.
In many cases their resolve is strengthened and their understanding of the human spirit and what makes them who they are expands. People who have experienced this opportunity for deep personal growth are very valuable. Their strength and determination are inspirational to others and they have much to teach and offer to society. Enemies and Heroes Christopher Reeve has in recent years very publicly demonstrated how SCI impacts on an individual s life. He suggests that one of the particularly destructive enemies the modern world faces today is disease.