How to stay positive beeing paralyzed after spinal cord injury

I always believed I am unbreakable. I actually never broke any of my bones.

Now I broke my neck. Irreversible paralysis, all four limbs affected.

It really couldn’t be much worse. Just three more vertebrae to go.

No breathing by my own, no head control, neurological damage, stroke, coma, death.

However I am a survivor and my brain still works.

Still, it is a hard time to stay positive.

This is why I started listing all things which changed in a positive way after my spinal cord injury.

It would be much harder and probably a never ending story to note all things which aren’t working for me (anymore). But hey, maybe that’s the same for everybody.

Here is the list, sorted by category:

Social life

• I am getting lots of visitors. I need an online calendar to manage appointments.
• I really like staying for Christmas at home and everybody comes by, no more traveling around the globe to visit every possible family member.
• The most important item in my list: I have reached a new level in my relationship.
• I rediscovered my friendships, extreme situations like mine really show you the difference.
• Home office accepted, no commuting necessary anymore.
• Most of the times I am invited going out for having food.

Logistics & events

• All my package delivery from Amazon arrives directly in my room. No pick up from neighbours or standing in the queue of the local post office required anymore. (while staying in the hospital)
• Public transportation is for free, forever. Almost every vehicle, unfortunately not the ICE/IC/EC trains.
• Thanks god, I live in Berlin, one of the top cities in the world in terms of accessibility.
• Better parking places, I am always very close to my destination.
• Big fat and shiny new car substituted by the government, without the need for excuses. Sorry mother nature.
• All kind of tickets for events and concerts are much cheaper. Also most of the time my companion receives free entry. This easily adds up to 70% discount for two people.
• No queues anymore at entries of events, I always get priority boarding.

All day activities

• Better day rhythm, every activity is well planned and scheduled. I divide the 24 hours by every possible number 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 12 to create certain schedules for major body functions.
• Breakfast, lunch, coffee and dinner is made for me. Never again my time is wasted on preparing or cooking, however I still miss the activity. What stays, is to order food, dictate receipts to others and complain about the result.
• Being a boss every day, having your personal team of assistants, telling them what (not) to do, hiring and firing your care takers.
• I find plenty of time to meditate and think about my life and the universe.
• My injury taught me: patience and willpower.
• I have a lot of time for watching and listening to movies, series and audio books.
• No excuse needed to stay in the bed for half the day.
• I receive physiotherapy and massages on a regular basis.
• Less drugs, can’t take it anymore.
• I am more conscious about any body input, like my diet and drinks.
• I really focus on the most important things. No distraction or stress, everything is much calmer and still productive.

Life long extras

• New big flat, a smart home with all things voice controlled.
• My pension is safe, not much but enough to survive.
• I do not notice the pain of syringes, flexulas or draw blood

I know nobody wants to switch to be in my wheelchair position. This list is for me and all the other paraplegic and quadriplegic humans out there to keep on smiling.

To be continued.