NEW INJURY
Have you or a loved one recently sustained a spinal cord injury? Have you been diagnosed as "complete"? Was the injury to the neck? You are in the right place to find the answers. This site was developed to help you navigate complete quadriplegia from day one. It's the site I needed when I was first diagnosed as a C3-4 complete quadriplegic 10 years ago.
WHAT DOES COMPLETE MEAN? UNDERSTAND YOUR INJURY LEVEL:
Our diagnosis isn’t a death sentence. Many quadriplegics, including many with the most severe injuries, go on to live pretty independent lives. It's a journey, but you are not alone!
The Next Step:
If you are still in the hospital here is what you can expect next
After breaking your neck you will be in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) until your blood pressure, respiratory function, and other medical issues are stable. The next step is an inpatient rehabilitation program. If you aren’t ready for that you may move to a skilled nursing facility for a time. The sooner you can get into a rehab the better!
EARLY GOALS AND PRECAUTIONS WHILE YOU ARE IN ICU:
Pick up a free copy of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation's Paralysis Resource Guide, a comprehensive book on spinal cord injury and paralysis, both as a downloadable PDF and a mailed print copy, from christopherreeve.org/guide. They also offer free children's books on SCI and other resources for families.