GOING BACK TO SCHOOL

Call your nearest Vocational Rehab agency and tell them your situation. Further education or training may be needed before you enter the workforce again, and they can help with that. They might also pay for assistive technology and vehicle adaptation.

They should ensure that your classes are accessible and make any necessary accommodations for you, like leeway for timed tests. This includes online schools.

Search the internet for scholarships. You may have to be enrolled to apply. Look up scholarships for students with disabilities, specifically spinal cord injuries. Many renew every year and you can apply for the next semester if the deadline has passed. United Spinal lists available scholarships. Rehab Services may be able to provide information on grants and scholarships you may be eligible for. Scholarships might not be a lot, but they can add up.

Online Schools 

When choosing a school you may want to select one that doesn’t require you to adhere to a strict schedule. Attending classes at designated times may be difficult because our daily schedules are often determined by our health and our care. Check out the software needed, and contact Disability Services to discuss accessibility needs like extra time for taking exams.

“I went for a counseling degree a decade after being in the chair. I let my disability limit me a lot in the beginning. College gave me purpose and now my career does. Online [schooling] is awesome because there’s no stairs and crowds and people looking at you when you’re just trying to learn.” Sharon, C5

Back on Campus

Research your schools of choice. Do they offer accessible housing on-campus? You might be allowed a live-in caregiver. Could you make a shared dorm bathroom with an accessible stall work? Maybe you’d rather have the privacy of an apartment with your own bathroom.

 You may need other accommodations that don’t involve your wheels. Talk to the Disability Services Office or Accessible Education Office if you need accommodations like online format materials rather than textbooks.

Josh (C4-5) was paralyzed at age 18, and went on to pursue a law degree, graduating magna cum laude, 9 years post injury. He is a trial attorney located in Washington DC, where he fights on behalf of the catastrophically injured. He also founded a nationwide nonprofit that offers help navigating all aspects of SCI.

“I taught in the classroom. I can't use my hands at all. I taught a lot using my laptop and smart board in the room. As far as complications go, using the restroom was probably the biggest thing, but I figured that out.” Bobby, C-4/C-5

Jordanne (C4) says it took her 10 years to complete her education degree. She started college a year after her accident:

“I relied on asking people to open doors to get where I needed to be. Sometimes my grandpa would take me and help me with the elevator. It was definitely challenging. I felt like an outcast. Some classes I went to alone and just sat and listened. Some classes the school provided an aide to help take notes. I had to do my tests in the accessibility office. It really was challenging. I felt embarrassed and ashamed a lot of the time. I don't know how I did it. I had to stop for about 3 years because of my pressure sore. Once I started getting the classes towards my degree (early childhood education) it was better. More classes were online and at night so I could do them at home and have someone familiar go to class with me. They were smaller classes also. Still nobody sat by me but at that point I was further into my injury and didn't care as much."