7 Steps to Helping Your Child When an Injury Causes Paralysis

The overall rate of spinal cord injuries (SCI) among children is just 26.9 per million. However, the rarity of this type of injury means nothing if it happens to your child. All that matters is making sure that he or she gets the best care. How can you help your child to have the best odds of paralysis recovery and of being able to handle such a dramatic change in circumstances emotionally? Here are seven suggestions for assisting your child to get the help they need. 

#1 Have “The Talk”

First things first. You need to explain to your child what happened and what it may mean for their future outlooks. Depending on your child’s age, they may find it challenging to understand the concept of not recovering from an injury or requiring a lengthy and challenging paralysis recovery process. You also need to help your child to know that a severe injury doesn’t mean their life is over or that they can’t have a fulfilling life. A healthy mix of reality and optimism is vital. 

#2 Prepare to Provide Ongoing Care 

When your child gets out of the hospital, they will need even more care than the average kid. Knowing that you are there to provide physical support will be crucial for your child. There may be regular visits to a paralysis recovery center, and sticking to a good routine will play a significant role in the amount of independence your child can ultimately gain. You also need to do your research so that you can be your child’s number one advocate in seeking the best care. 

#3 Providing the Emotional Support Your Child Will Require 

This can sometimes be a more difficult task than providing physical support. Physical support is about making time for doctor appointments, rehabilitation, and things of that nature. Emotional support is going to vary from child to child and how they handle the situation. You also have to know your limit and when your child may require a mental healthcare professional to talk things out. Even if you find that option is necessary, don’t downplay the value of your positive encouragement on a daily basis. If you are having trouble processing the challenges that have suddenly been thrust upon your child, imagine how confusing it must be for them. 

#4 Connect Your Child to Others in a Similar Situation 

Kids process things differently. Thus, getting to talk with someone in the same age group dealing with similar challenges can be significantly beneficial. If your child is a teenager, connect them to other teenagers living with a spinal cord injury. If it is a younger child, connect them with other young children who are SCI survivors.  

#5 Get the Financial Compensation Available to Your Family 

This might mean seeking out the help of a personal injury attorney if your child’s trauma was due to someone else’s negligence. However, it can also mean seeking out financial aid from state and federal sources. The compensation you receive can go a long way to making sure your family can afford the best care for your child and the best equipment to make day to day challenges a little more manageable.

And remember that a good personal injury attorney will also seek compensation for your lost wages as you take time off from your employment to provide additional childcare. This will give you the time that you need to help your child with their paralysis recovery without adding an additional financial burden to the family. 

#6 Connect with National or Local Disability Groups 

There is a wide range of resources available on the Internet to help you connect with support services for families coping with a disability. Some of these groups offer mentoring for SCI survivors, resources for family members who are caregivers, or they can help connect you to sources of financial aid. 

#7 Remember that Caregivers Need Self-Care Too 

Of course, your number one priority is going to be helping your beloved child through this traumatic experience. However, you can only provide care to the degree that you keep yourself physically and emotionally healthy. Caregiver burnout can become a real issue if you spend all your time providing care and never get a break from your own mental, physical, or emotional exhaustion. A few ways to prevent caregiver burnout include:

• Having someone to talk to for yourself – This can be a friend, family member, or a professional therapist.
• Be realistic about your expectations – We hope your child’s paralysis recovery goes perfectly. However, you have to realize that the severity of the injury will, at least partially, dictate the result. You can’t blame yourself if your child’s recovery is not as rapid or as complete as you hope. 
• Set aside time for yourself – This is not selfish. Remember, your child will benefit more from receiving care from a healthy parent and not a burnt-out parent. 
• Get enough sleep each night
• Plan healthy meals
• Join a support group for caregivers
• Find positive ways to deal with stress, such as a hobby, taking a hot bath, getting a massage, using essential oils, practicing meditation, getting daily exercise, and other beneficial practices. 

Advice from a Paralysis Recovery Center 

At iAM ABLE, we help SCI patients of all ages in southern Florida. We also help SCI survivors across the nation with our eBook, 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to Thrive after Paralysis. We hope that this publication can help you as you seek to provide your child with the best care possible.

Grab our free e-book 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to THRIVE after Paralysis by clicking the image below.