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I Am Paralyzed

Son Is 3 Months C5 Paralyzed

By: momsad
Written on June 6th, 2011
22 y.o. son paralyzed 3/4/2011...about to go to InPt Rehab.   I really need help / tips with caregiving situation.   Trying to bring him home instead of nursing home but I have to work.   I know this might too much for me - caregivers live-in 24/7?   Anyone know how to make this work?  Hate for him to go to a nursing home.
By: momsad
Age: 56-60 , Female
652 people have read this story

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4 responses
  • colorofbirds
    colorofbirds

    my heart goes out to all of you.i am a private caregiver.it makes me so happy just knowing that i made a difference in a persons life day by day

    Feb 13, 2012
    1 like
  • quadforgod
    quadforgod

    I am a C3/C4 quadrapaligic paralyzed from the neck down and have been this way since June 29,1994. I had to spend two months in a nursing home in between shock trauma when I was first injured and rehab,so I could weaned off the ventilator to go to Good Samaritan Hospital to do my In Patient physical therapy. I will tell this that I did not get the proper care,because they didn't turn me properly while I was on a regular hospital bed mattress and ended up with a sarcral wound approximately 6 inches round and down to my spine. Once I got to In Patient rehab my first four weeks were spent in bed on an air mattress,because a plastic surgeon had to do a muscle flap to close the wound. None of nurses or CNA's come when you call them and it seems like you're laying there for hours waiting for help. I moved out of my home that I was living in with my mother and sister and now live on my own in my own town home with the greates caregivers anyone could have 24 hours around the clock. If you need any tips or need to learn any skills that would help improve your sons living condition so he can have a high quality of life even from a wheelchair please write me back so we can get in contact and maybe between me and my caregivers we can help you to find caregivers and learn how to give the best care to your son that he needs.

    God bless the both of you,

    B. Cross

    Jan 29, 2012
    1 like
    • Friendtryingtounderstand
      Friendtryingtounderstand

      Hi, my name is Vicki, I have been reading your posts and you seem like the right person to talk to. I hope you dont mind. I have a friend that was injured in a trampoline accident 1 week and 3 days ago. I am very close with his fiance. We work together and have been friends for 15 yrs. I am having a hard time with this, I want to be there for her but am not sure what I can do, I have been to the hospital 3 times and last night was the first night I actual went in to my friend's fiance's room. I had a very hard time with it, I wanted to be positive for him but he had a tear in his eye and I lost it. Please, can you pray for my friend?

      Jul 25, 2012
      1 like
  • spiralzoey
    spiralzoey

    No, a nursing home shouldn't be the answer. I'm a 31 yr old female. I have a C-6 injury (1996) from a horseback riding accident. The key to success w/ SCI is networking for caregivers. Be creative!!



    Caregivers do not have to be RN's, LPN's, or CNA's. I have had many attendents that have had no medical background. If you live near a college or university try posting a flyer stating your son's needs (that might be a good way for your son to be around people his own age). You could try local churches. MAKE SURE TO: screen phone calls to be sure the person is worth interviewing.



    It is very tough for parents to be full-time caregivers, even if they have the best intensions. It causes a lot of tension, trust me!! I hope that your son wants to be as independent as he can, or as soon as he is physically able. Becoming independent can be a scary sometimes frustrating thing. Try to be patient. You will both learn a lot within the next year

    Jul 18, 2011
    1 like