3 Ways to Support a Loved One with a Spinal Cord Injury During the Holidays

Spinal cord injuries involve damage to the spinal cord, which connects all of your body’s nerves to your brain. When a loved one has a spinal cord injury, they may need some extra support in their home or while traveling. This can be especially true during the busy holiday season. 

If you live with a loved one with a spinal cord injury or plan on visiting them for the holidays, our team at Delaware NeuroRehab wants to offer some helpful tips for providing support. Simply visit our offices in Dover, Newark, or Lewes, Delaware. 

We specialize in neurorehabilitation for spinal cord injuries at every stage of recovery. Our occupational therapists, nurse practitioners, neuropsychologists, and physical therapists can all collaborate on individualized neurorehabilitation plans.  

Here’s what you need to know about supporting a loved one with a spinal cord injury, including three helpful tips for providing support during the holidays.

The impact of a spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injuries have many possible symptoms that can complicate daily life. The symptoms a person experiences depend on the severity of the injury and where the injury is located along the spinal cord. 

For example, cervical spinal injuries (neck injuries) are usually very different from lumbar spinal injuries (low back injuries) in how they impact you. 

A spinal cord injury can cause:

• Cervical vertigo (a type of vertigo due to cervical spine injuries)
• Arm weakness
• Leg weakness
• Trouble feeling different sensations, like touch, cold, or heat
• Bowel or bladder dysfunction
• Chronic pain
• Spasticity

Between their many possible causes (e.g., falls, car accidents, or tumors) and their many possible symptoms, everyone experiences the symptoms of their spinal injury differently. 

Spinal cord injuries are a major cause of disability and can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life.  

3 ways to support a loved one with a spinal cord injury

Whether you’re a caretaker or a visitor, you might be planning on spending the holidays with a loved one who has a spinal cord injury. Here are three helpful tips for supporting them: 

1. Be flexible with your planning

Some spinal cord injury symptoms and complications fluctuate in their intensity. They might feel more manageable at certain times of day than at others. Make sure to be flexible when planning holiday parties and outings, just in case plans need to change. 

2. Ask if they need help

Instead of assuming your loved one needs help with a specific task, simply ask. They may value their independence and self-sufficiency, in which case they’re happy to complete tasks that are within their capability. 

By asking if your loved one needs help, you can build a sense of trust and teamwork while supporting their autonomy. 

3. Make sure they’re included

Spinal cord injuries can come with emotional and social side effects that others may not recognize. Make sure your loved one feels included in conversations, meals, and activities with friends and family. 

If your loved one wants to talk about their injury or how it impacts their life, offer patience and a listening ear. 

Feeling heard and connected can be a huge source of comfort for a person living with a spinal cord injury, and the holidays are a great opportunity to show that you care about them and their experience. 

Get in touch

For more information about neurorehabilitation and how to support people with spinal cord injuries, get in touch with Delaware NeuroRehab. Call the nearest office or request an appointment online.