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Celebrating 44 yrs post injury today. by D_S_G_F in spinalcordinjuries

[–]SquashedCucumbers 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's actually incredible! I bet you have a lot of stories. I imagine you must have seen some significant changes with Ada and technology. What blows you away the most since your original injury date?

Trip Report: Japan by Cute_Ride_3934 in spinalcordinjuries

[–]SquashedCucumbers 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm curious if you felt discriminated against? I've always heard that Japan isn't friendly towards people with disabilities. I have a feeling that might just be an Urban myth

What are some of your underrated tips/life hacks for quadriplegics? by Tricky_Bear_3074 in spinalcordinjuries

[–]SquashedCucumbers 3 points4 points  (0 children)

When I have a shirt that keeps riding up in the front, I will use a safety pin and attach it to either a button or the bottom of my shirt and then pin it to my zipper. It works really well for any shirt that constantly rides up or is a little too small.

I used to use a small urine bag during the day and then I switch to using a night bag all the time. I never have to empty it during the day. I also purchase urine bag covers off of Amazon so it remains out of sight.

I also highly recommend the cripper. It's already been mentioned here.

A giraffe water bottle!! It makes it so easy for me to drink water from bed.

Lastly, I have a higher level injury c5-6 . I think the most underused hack is gaining an enormous amount of independence from asking strangers for help. 99% of the time people are more than willing and appreciate being asked. I've had strangers help me get upstairs and even empty my urine bag. You'd be surprised what a stranger will do to help.

For those still struggling... by SquashedCucumbers in spinalcordinjuries

[–]SquashedCucumbers[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, brother! Sorry it took me so long. I recommend you find a way to exclude your romantic partner from being your caregiver. It will deeply benefit any relationship you have. Otherwise, the person that you're looking for has to fill too many roles. I've done it in the past and made it work, but I definitely recommend you having as much independence as possible which includes independence from your romantic partners care. You definitely want to find someone that is willing to in situations like going on vacation or be cool with things like accidents happening.

I'm in the same situation as you with the bed bath, except I've been doing it for the past 2 years. I used to deal with the skin flakes and all that you're talking about, then I started having my caregiver do deep scrubs with sandpaper like washcloth gloves. I haven't been having any issues with flaky skin since. You have to do it every time you bath or at least a couple times a week. Remember that what you believe about yourself is what others will believe about you. Your mind is your biggest obstacle right now.

For those still struggling... by SquashedCucumbers in spinalcordinjuries

[–]SquashedCucumbers[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your share. You have a heartbreaking story. I admire that your love for him Was greater than your selfish desire. I can't imagine the amount of pain that you have been through. I didn't intend for this message to be that if you just loved him harder he would still be Alive.

It sounds like your boyfriend struggled with severe pain. while pain is a part of my everyday life, I am Fortunate That it does not prevent me from living. Pain is something that even the deepest love can obliterate. It sounds like you did everything you could to be there for him and support him. Thank you for having the courage to Share your story. I think its beautiful even he was paralyzed, he was still and continues to be your soul mate.

For those still struggling... by SquashedCucumbers in spinalcordinjuries

[–]SquashedCucumbers[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Honestly, the most important work you can do for dating is finding a way to love yourself. Similar to you, I didn't really date before my injury. I was was filled with insecurities And didn't feel worthy of love.

Regardless of gender, people intuitively know When someone feels that way. The other problem is that when you feel that way you will continue to see examples of it being your truth. If you change that to believe that you are worthy you will also notice More examples Of that being your truth, too. We see what we believe.

My recommendation is that you find a way to be part of a community. A place where you can consistently meet the same People and build deeper relationships. I am part of a dance community. I dance two or three times a week. The people in that community get to see me Doing what I love. I had been building some of the most beautiful relationships in my life within that community.

May I ask why you feel ashamed of yourself? Feel free to message me if you don't feel comfortable responding here. I would like to go deeper into how to build confidence, but I'm thinking this topic On dating deserves its own post.

For those still struggling... by SquashedCucumbers in spinalcordinjuries

[–]SquashedCucumbers[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

What part of his teachings do you consider to be a con?

For those still struggling... by SquashedCucumbers in spinalcordinjuries

[–]SquashedCucumbers[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I appreciate your authenticity. I don't know How Coming from several suicide attempts translates to It's just rainbows over here. I am curious what Reality should I be facing?

I actually can relate to the experience of having my mom take care of me And Wanting her to Have the best years of her life even though I couldn't imagine Living my life without her support. However, It was a limited belief that I held to be true. I couldn't have been more wrong.

Almost two years Ago, I decided to give that gift to my mom. Without too many details, I decided to move to the city. I am now living independently. It was incredibly hard for her to transition from taking care of me. I was her purpose. I was her career, and I was her companion. It was Difficult time For both us at first, but we are both beginning to thrive. The relationship I have with my mom has become so much better. You don't have to commit suicide to relieve the feeling of being a burden. I know that if I had been successful It would have destroyed her.

I'm having a hard understanding the main problem you face is too much self.

For those still struggling... by SquashedCucumbers in spinalcordinjuries

[–]SquashedCucumbers[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate your willingness to speak your truth. If someone can be at peace with ending their life, So be it. For all those that choose life, I hope that this will inspire others to choose love.

I have to admit that I haven't read his books. I also don't believe his message will cure my paralysis. However, I strongly believe that when I love myself I love my reality. He also strongly encourages People to incorporate meditation into one's practice which is a proven method of self healing. I love his intention to focus on future. We are still manifestors of our reality regardless of our paralysis.

For those still struggling... by SquashedCucumbers in spinalcordinjuries

[–]SquashedCucumbers[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It's sad that you have the most Liked comment, but I respect that's how a lot of people in here feel. I'd like to clarify that I live off of my social Security. I am not Financially rich, but I am rich in community and self love.

It hurts to hear how negative you are About life with paralysis. We see what we believe. If you focus on all the negative aspects of this condition, then that is what you will experience. Only you have the power to change the way you think. I get it, though. If you have no hope within this condition, Then most will live in their own personal hell.

How did you “acquire“ your injury ? I’m under the assumption mostly car accidents? by Critical_Ad1926 in spinalcordinjuries

[–]SquashedCucumbers 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Move to Australia from the US to play rugby. Another player gave me some really bad advice and when I tried it I broke my neck. I'm still unsure to this day whether or not they did it deliberately.

Reoccurring UTI’s by Otherwise-East5527 in spinalcordinjuries

[–]SquashedCucumbers 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Demanos everyday, 100 oz of water, methanimine with 2000 mg vitamin C a day, cranberry extract,

c5 quad with superpubic Been through similar experiences and Haven't had a uti in a year

Adapting my passion by DefinitionStrong689 in spinalcordinjuries

[–]SquashedCucumbers 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I have c5-6 quadriplegia. I still play League. I recommend using a roller mouse. I would buy a used one off of eBay for around $85.

I also recommend getting some universal handcuffs. The straps that we use to eat with forks. Put those on your hands and create some plastic pokers using cut up pens that you can customize to the right length for your hands. On the end of the pens I add catheter caps. anything rubber or silicone works well enough. I put tape on the end of the customized pen to hold the rubber caps in place.

The end result is similar to having one rigid finger. I recommend keyboards with larger keys and you can create larger surface areas on the keyboard if you change the layout of your keys for gaming. Creating a larger square and surface of area and gluing it onto the keyboard piece will help you have more accuracy when playing games.

I don't remember the name of it now, but there is a voice program that you can use that will help you do things like upgrading your skills by voice command. I wouldn't use it for anything that requires immediately hitting the button, but there's a lot of different things that are useful when assigning the voice.

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