Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month

September is spinal cord injury awareness month and I really haven’t said much about it. I wanted to list 30 things about my spinal cord injury.

1. ​I am a incomplete quadriplegic.
2. I have no control of my bodily functions.
3. I have sketchy sensation all over my body.
4. I am like a cold blooded animal, unable to control my body temperature.
5. I am capable of having sex and being intimate.
6. I am wheelchair bound.
7. I am unable to dress myself.
8. I am able to feed myself.
9. I have spasticity.
10. I have a weakened immune system.
11. I have to use bed chucks in my pants in case of accidents.
12. I suffer with chronic UTIs.
13. I have one metal bar, one plate, and six screws holding my neck together.
14. I can wiggle my big toe on my right foot.
15. I can brush my hair.
16. I have breathing trouble due to how high my injury is.
17. I have skin issues.
18. I am stronger than this injury and this injury doesn’t define me.
19. I cannot put my contacts in myself.
20. I have severe nerve pain.
21. I have a donor disk as my C4 vertebrae.
22. I fatigue easier than an able bodied.
23. I do my own makeup.
24. I take prescription medication.
25. I have to rely on others for basic tasks.
26. I cannot use my triceps.
27. I have to do a bowel routine.
28. I have to stretch daily to maintain range of motion.
29. I have to watch my weight.
30. I have to be turned every two hours.