Mobility options...

Written by Julie Taylor

...available to those with a spinal cord injury.  Technology today has revolutionized the life of someone with a severe disability such as a spinal cord injury. There are many assisted technology devices designed to increase an individuals’ level of independence. These products are so important to get the highest level of function post injury.

Depending upon the level of injury, an individual with a spinal cord injury may use one of the following devices.

Manual Wheelchair
Powered mobility device (wheelchair or 3 or 4 wheeled cart)
Braces, crutches or a cane for those able to walk
Walkers

Decisions about which device to use are also based upon lifestyle, medical diagnosis, cost of the device and individual preference. The majority of people with spinal cord injuries tend to use a manual wheelchair at some point for mobility. Choosing a wheelchair can certainly be overwhelming but there are a number of excellent resources to aid an individual/family with this decision.

Wheelchair users also need to use a specialized seating system to ensure support and to protect soft tissues. The wheelchair and seating system must be compatible with each other and wheelchair cushions can be almost as expensive as the wheelchair itself!  Decisions should be made with the support of professional therapists and rehabilitation professionals - who love this strong, lightweight wheelchair by Healiohealth, the Viper Plus at only $670 (a lot cheaper than most).

MOBILITY AT HOME: Many people discover that their homes are no longer accessible to them after a spinal cord injury. Many modifications can me made at home to increase mobility and independence through the installation of assistive devices, changing heights of cupboards and worktops and smoothing out steps with a ramp.  Check out Design Meets Disability by Graham Pullin – moving house is not always necessary! And being surrounded by disability doesn't have to be ugly!

TRANSPORTATION: There are specialized methods of adaptive equipment to aid an individual to drive a vehicle. Hand controls enable someone with limited or no use of their lower limbs to accelerate, brake and change gears. Wheelchair lifts, car door openers and swivel seats are also available. Full sized vans can be set up with a wide variety of lifts and ramps to suit the individual’s needs.

These adaptations do tend to be expensive and unfortunately it always takes a lot longer to get in and out of your car. However, I do know a young woman who has a fairly light wheelchair and no special adaptations to her mini-van.  She has good strength in her upper body and can manhandle herself into her wheelchair quite quickly - it is possible.

Many people resist the aids available: there is such a strong part of them that wants recovery. I realize that it's very easy for me to recommend using as many of these aids as you can because I don't have many mobility issues.  I do recognize the dilemma and a good first step is to address the emotional repurcussions of trauma. Reading Life After Trauma: A Workbook for Healing by Dena Rosenbloom PhD, Mary Beth Williams PhD, Barbara E. Watkins, Dena Rosenbloom makes a great start. I feel quite strongly that wherever finances permit, use as many devices as you can  in order to live in such a way as to get every drop of potential and happiness out of each day.  Aimee Mullins is an inspirational young athlete who lost both loegs.  She turned her disability - her prosthetic legs - into an exotic fashion accessory.    Even though tomorrow may well be different, embrace today with both hands.