Physical Health
It is important for all of us to understand and maintain our physical health. For those of us with a disability (disabilities), minor physical issues can become severe and complex in a short period of time. This is is a place where we can share our experiences, resources. successes and struggles, as well as provide support to one another.
Please Note: we may include our names on these pages, everyone else will be identified as “Contributor” or “Peer” unless express permission has been given. If you have any comments or feedback on anything posted, please contact us.
Subject: Spinal Cord Essentials: Pressure Sore Prevention
Posted: May 5, 2022
Spinal Cord Essentials: Pressure Sore Prevention
Melanie: I trace my fingers over the scars on Wallace's beautiful body. They tell a story... They are a part of him. This is where they inserted a chest tube to relieve fluid build-up in his chest cavity that was collapsing his lung. This is where they opened him up from front to back to repair a tear in the plural lining of his lung. This is where the accessed his spine four times over the past 34 years to make repairs. These scars represent life saving measures. Then there are 3 scars that tell a story of neglect and lack of empathy. The scars of pressure sores that struggled to heal. A 20 year old Wallace in acute care, a nurse bending over him with his rotting flesh hanging from a pair of tweezers stating "look at what we have to deal with every day because of you."
Regular skin checks are essential. Whether you are in hospital (where they SHOULD know better), or performing/directing your own self care at home. Spinal Cord Essentials has a great document you can download and can be found by accessing the link below.
Spinal Cord Essentials: Pressure sores greatly affect the things you can do. Sometimes they can’t heal on their own and need surgery. Pressure sores are dangerous because they put you at high risk of infection. In extreme cases, these infections can even cause death.
Subject: Taking a Sitting Stand: The Spoon Theory
Posted: January 5, 2022
Taking a Sitting Stand: The Spoon Theory
Melanie: There are many articles and videos explaining The Spoon Theory. This is just one of them - but it's a good one. The video at the beginning tells it all. John Loeppky does a stellar job. This is important for EVERYONE to consider. It can help you to explain your energy levels to others AND it can help challenge ableist thinking.
When we have a greater understanding of what others may be going through we become better friends, partners and allies. I have decided to include this on the following pages: ABC of SCI, Mental Health and Physical Health.
John Loeppky: It's all too easy to exclude disabled people because of a sense of inconvenience, but that can leave us feeling unwanted.
Subject: Learning How to Learn
Posted: February 20, 2021
Learning How to Learn
Wallace: I was 20 years old and just starting my second year of university when I sustained my SCI. During the year of my recovery and rehabilitation, I went through testing for any possible cognitive damage I may have sustained. During this process I was diagnosed with a working memory deficit disorder - something I was born with. It explained why I had issues with traditional forms of education, why I was put on academic probation my first year of university and why I was failing my second year. Armed with the knowledge of my learning disability I was able to access strategies for learning how to learn. When I returned to school I completed an undergrad degree in Psychology and went on the earn a Master in Social Work. I have enjoyed a number of different positions within (and outside of) my field, but my current job as a Clinical Research Associate has been my favourite to date. My goal is to start a travelling podcast with Melanie - interviewing people in the SCI community while travelling across Canada. If I had not sustained an SCI, my learning disability would not have been discovered. My SCI opened doors for me.