Comments on: “A Complete Plain-English Guide to Living with a Spinal Cord Injury” http://transabled.org/thoughts/other-thoughts/chloes-thoughts/a-complete-plain-english-guide-to-living-with-a-spinal-cord-injury.htm Talking about Body Integrity Identity Disorder - Just another disability! Wed, 23 May 2012 18:36:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Chloe http://transabled.org/thoughts/other-thoughts/chloes-thoughts/a-complete-plain-english-guide-to-living-with-a-spinal-cord-injury.htm/comment-page-1#comment-16114 Chloe Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:15:56 +0000 http://transabled.org/?p=880#comment-16114 After I wrote this, my partner and I took a look at chapter 19 (Family and Friends Adjustment to a Spinal Cord Injury). We both realised that it is applicable to our situation right now, not just potentially for the future. Partners have to deal with two things. Firstly there's the BIID itself, so one's partner has to accept that they are living with a nutcase. Then they have to deal with the treatment for the BIID, which can mean that they are effectively already living with someone who has a major mobility (or other) impairment. My partner seldom sees me without wheelchair or leg braces. Partners have feelings about all this. One of the guidelines for family and friends stated in this chapter is "Express your feelings too. Keeping up a brave front is not always a good idea." My partner and I have found that it is valuable for her to express her negative feelings about all this, as well as the positive. After I wrote this, my partner and I took a look at chapter 19 (Family and Friends Adjustment to a Spinal Cord Injury). We both realised that it is applicable to our situation right now, not just potentially for the future.

Partners have to deal with two things. Firstly there’s the BIID itself, so one’s partner has to accept that they are living with a nutcase. Then they have to deal with the treatment for the BIID, which can mean that they are effectively already living with someone who has a major mobility (or other) impairment. My partner seldom sees me without wheelchair or leg braces.

Partners have feelings about all this. One of the guidelines for family and friends stated in this chapter is “Express your feelings too. Keeping up a brave front is not always a good idea.” My partner and I have found that it is valuable for her to express her negative feelings about all this, as well as the positive.

]]> By: Jen http://transabled.org/thoughts/other-thoughts/chloes-thoughts/a-complete-plain-english-guide-to-living-with-a-spinal-cord-injury.htm/comment-page-1#comment-16107 Jen Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:56:06 +0000 http://transabled.org/?p=880#comment-16107 Re: ch 95: Chloe, ten years ago I had major surgery (non-SCI). While I was recovering, walking at normal speed was nearly impossible. I borrowed a cane from a friend and for a month, brandished it about. I was tired of people rushing me and muttering as they passed, I was tired of being passed by taxis (just to say - a crutch or cane will get almost instant attention from a NY cabbie). Using the cane as a visible symbol of my temporary slowdown worked for me. Re: ch 95: Chloe, ten years ago I had major surgery (non-SCI). While I was recovering, walking at normal speed was nearly impossible. I borrowed a cane from a friend and for a month, brandished it about.

I was tired of people rushing me and muttering as they passed, I was tired of being passed by taxis (just to say – a crutch or cane will get almost instant attention from a NY cabbie). Using the cane as a visible symbol of my temporary slowdown worked for me.

]]> By: Sean http://transabled.org/thoughts/other-thoughts/chloes-thoughts/a-complete-plain-english-guide-to-living-with-a-spinal-cord-injury.htm/comment-page-1#comment-16105 Sean Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:07:12 +0000 http://transabled.org/?p=880#comment-16105 Thanks for the review, most interesting. I know I've tried to read a lot about the experience of being paralysed. At first, medical textbooks, but later, more "real" stories from people who were paras. This is one of those other things that we seem to all do ;) Thanks for the review, most interesting. I know I’ve tried to read a lot about the experience of being paralysed. At first, medical textbooks, but later, more “real” stories from people who were paras. This is one of those other things that we seem to all do ;)

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