Quinn Brett Instagram – swinging in one last #sciawarenessmonth .
Many of you were along for the wild ride of emotions following my injury. My personal experience and reflection easily point to individuals being paralyzed physically, yes, but also mentally emotionally financially and spiritually
Spinal cord injury facts;
6 percent of people w/ an SCI have an opportunity to enroll in spinal cord injury specific rehab centers (like @craighospital where I went or @spauldingrehab @shepherdcenter ).
Average days in rehab facilities
1978 = 98
2018 = 34
2022 = 27
Those without rehab = Here is your wheelchair, have a nice life. 🤮 what life?? Barriers are abound beyond simply returning our vitals within normal limits!!! We need neuro specific rehab—- relearning to navigate this physically inaccessible world without the use of legs, fingers or internal organs and their regulatory function. Learning on the fly (under duress no less) about insurance limitations and the pain staking time on the phone with inconsistent answers. There are caregiver issues —- no-shows, robbery and mistreatment from the people sticking a finger in our ass to help us poop. Oh, transportation nightmares— unable to drive, community ride systems still inaccessible or non-existent. Last, hardly least, financial burdens of trying to return to work, or trying to remodel a home so it can accommodate our new bodies to not just live but to thrive.
SCI is not alone. It is just my first hand shit show of an experience. Traumatic brain injury, the onslaught of neurological disorders, cancer, child miscarriage —-you name it— all of these are more complicated than the medical aspects. Our healthcare is lacking as a comprehensive system.
There are psychology and social aspects, reintegration into your community. Necessary support to navigate these horrendous and complex medical system. And of course the necessity of community to educate and to lean on one another for lived experiences and mentorship.
I guess I just wish for us all to participate with one another more. Have compassion for why the lady in the post office is so angry—- Moreso to participate in the process. We are
The voices of change. 😚🍨🙌🏽🦾🫵🏾 | Posted on 01/Oct/2022 08:48:29
