Spinal Cord Injury or Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal Cord Injury: A Guide for Living

Author: Sara Palmer

There are approximately 220,000 people with spinal cord injury in the United States and about 10,000 new injuries each year. This straightforward book is designed to help them--and their family members and friends--during the rehabilitation process and the journey that follows. Written by three professionals in rehabilitation medicine and psychology, Spinal Cord Injury is an easy to understand, comprehensive resource for everyone with SCI, containing essential information for people who are newly injured and for those who have longer experience in coping with injury.

The book thoroughly reviews the challenges that may be encountered by people with spinal cord injury throughout their lives, addressing all aspects of spinal cord injury, from psychological, sexual, and social matters to transportation, housing, and employment. The authors explain how spinal cord injury affects physical functioning and how those changes may lead to lowered self-esteem, depression, family conflicts, and social isolation -- all problems that can derail the adaptation process. But they remind readers that, as with any major life crisis, spinal cord injury can be a catalyst for positive change. A spinal cord injury challenges a person to find creative channels for self-expression, personal strength, and new ways of being in the world. One of the book's most important messages is that a meaningful life is possible after spinal cord injury and that psychosocial adjustment is not necessarily linked to one's degree of physical function or disability.

Illustrating each chapter with patient histories--ranging from relatively mild to moderate to severe disability--the authors begin by demystifyingwhat takes place during emergency treatment and hospitalization and explaining the consequences of different kinds of spinal cord injury. Later chapters describe rehabilitation, returning home, and learning to live independently. Chapters include: Part I--Trauma, Hospitalization, and RehabilitationChapter 1: Into the Wilderness: Trauma and HospitalizationChapter 2: Lost and Searching: RehabilitationChapter 3: Reading the Map: AdjustmentPart II--The Challenge of ReadjustmentChapter 4: Going Home: Old Territory in a New LightChapter 5: Focus on the FamilyChapter 6: Lovers' Lane: Dating, Coupling, and SexualityChapter 7: Life Goes On: Independent LivingPart III--Successful Living with Spinal Cord InjuryChapter 8: The Next Frontier: Spinal Cord Injury ResearchChapter 9: The Journey ContinuesChapter 10: Concluding Thoughts

Life after spinal cord injury is a progression through medical recovery, emotional adjustment, social integration, and fulfillment of personal goals. People with SCI must find the courage and persistence to redefine personal and professional relationships as well as their own relationship with a changed self. Spinal Cord Injury: A Guide for Living is a much needed resource that will help people with spinal cord injury overcome obstacles in managing the challenges of their new lives.

Library Journal

Before the middle of the 20th century, most people with a spinal cord injury (SCI) died within a few years of the injury. Today, with advances in emergency medicine, the initial survival rate is much higher. About 220,000 people in the United States live with SCI, and about 10,000 new injuries occur each year. The authors, all rehab professionals associated with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, firmly believe that a meaningful life is more than possible after injury and that recovery and adjustment is greatly improved when people know what to expect physically and emotionally during recovery. Divided into three parts that roughly cover the sequence of events during recovery, this book is written as a navigational tool for people with SCI and their families. Illustrating each chapter with the personal histories of patients, the text covers what will happen during initial hospitalization, rehabilitation therapy, readjusting to home, the effects of spinal cord injury on other family members, dating and sexuality, independent living choices, and current research. The book is well organized, and each chapter can be read independently. While it doesn't necessarily provide the "how-to" about some practicalities, this guide does give a complete picture of the road to recovery and the psychosocial issues that need to be resolved to live successfully with SCI. For disability/rehabilitation consumer health collections.--Kate Kelly, Massachusetts General Hosp. Lib., Boston Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Booknews

The authors created this self-help guide for those who have suffered a spinal cord injury because "Our experience...tells us that recovery and successful living after injury go more smoothly when people know what to expect...." The descriptions of each aspect of life following the injury, from what happens in the hospital and the emotional effects which accompany the trauma, to the new lives experienced afterwards, are supplemented with the personal stories of those who have suffered this injury. Of the three authors, two are psychologists and one is an MD affiliated with the rehabilitation program at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. A list of resources is included. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Kirkus Reviews

paper: 0-8018-6353-8 Wide-ranging advice from experienced caregivers to those coping with the stunning life changes accompanying spinal cord injury, this lacks the voice and special support that might be given by someone personally affected. Psychologists Palmer and Kreigsman and physician Palmer are matter-of-fact, clear, and well-organized: they know what specific problems and issues—physical, emotional, and social—will face those with such traumatic injury, and they detail what help is needed and available. Part I, for example, covers "Trauma, Hospitalization, and Rehabilitation," and the authors are clear on the magnitude of difficulty involved in recovery: "The reality of a spinal cord injury is often intensified by other life-threatening injuries. Initially, your mission is to survive physically; then later, emotionally." They explain the various types of injury (typed by level of vertebrae), and the progression of care during the initial hospitalization. In Part II, "The Challenges of Readjustment," the authors look at how life changes after discharge from hospital: often, returning home in a wheelchair for the first time drives home the reality of the injury. Adjustments to this new life are considered in depth. Finally, in Part III, "Successful Living with Spinal Cord Injury," the authors describe current research in the field and look at issues over the long haul. Thorough, up-to-date, sympathetic—though firmly from the professional viewpoint.

Table of Contents:

Pt. I Trauma, Hospitalization, and Rehabilitation 1

1 Into the Wilderness: Trauma, Hospitalization, and Acute Care Sara Palmer Palmer, Sara Kay Harris Kriegman Kriegman, Kay Harris Jeffrey B. Palmer Palmer, Jeffrey B. Cristina L. Sadowsky Sadowsky, Cristina L. 5

2 Lost and Searching: Rehabilitation 39

3 Reading the Map: Pathways to Adjustment 69

Pt. II The Challenges of Readjustment 95

4 Going Home: Old Territory in a New Light 99

5 Focus on the Family 125

6 Lovers' Lane: Dating, Coupling, and Sexuality 169

7 Life Goes On: Independent Living 201

Pt. III Successful Living With Spinal Cord Injury 233

8 The Next Frontier: Spinal Cord Injury Research Sara Palmer Palmer, Sara Kay Harris Kriegman Kriegman, Kay Harris Jeffrey B. Palmer Palmer, Jeffrey B. John W. McDonald McDonald, John W. Cristina L. Sadowsky Sadowsky, Cristina L. 237

9 The Journey Continues: Finding Yourself 283

10 Concluding Thoughts 309

Resources 329

Notes 341

Index 345

See also: Walk Away the Pounds or Atkins for Life

Spinal Cord Injury: A Guide for Patients and Families

Author: Michael E Selzer

The newest title in the critically acclaimed American Academy of Neurology Press Quality of Life Guides series, Spinal Cord Injury is an authoritative and reliable resource for all those looking to educate themselves on the topic of spinal cord injury (SCI).

Written in easy-to-understand language, the book includes information on: How the spinal cord works and what happens when it is injured, The benefits of rehabilitation, Assistive devices that can make life easier, A glossary with commonly used terms for communicating with doctors and caregivers, Website resources that can aid in further research.

Learning to live with a spinal cord injury can be a challenge. This book will help people better understand the medical basis for their disabilities, the current treatments and rehabilitative methods used to manage spinal cord injuries, and the research that points to hope for the future.

About the Author:
Michael E. Selzer, MD, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Neurology and director of the Center for Experimental Neurorehabilitation Training at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, as well as director of Rehabilitation Research and Development in the Department of Veterans Affairs

About the Author:
Brue H. Dobkin, MD, is Professor of Neurology at the University of California

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Kathleen M. Woodruff, RN, MS, CRNP(Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing)
Description:This is a well developed resource for patients with spinal cord injuries and their families. It assists readers in developing a framework for understanding the condition and becoming better prepared to manage the life changes associated with it.
Purpose:The purpose is to provide information to patients with spinal cord injuries, their families and loved ones, and caregivers. The information is designed to lead to a basic understanding of the underlying disabilities, current medical treatments, rehabilitation options, and research directions. The authors do a nice job of meeting the objectives.
Audience:The audience includes patients, their families/loved ones, and caregivers. The book has been developed under the auspices of the American Academy of Neurology by two experienced and knowledgeable neurologists.
Features:The book is written to assist non-medical readers in obtaining a clear understanding of spinal cord injuries. The book is organized into chapters that focus on answering pertinent questions for readers. Diagrams enhance understanding and Internet resources are listed for further information.
Assessment:This is a well written reference for non-medical readers who are trying to acquire a better understanding of spinal cord injuries. The hope is that better informed patients are able to more actively participate in the decision making and execution of their own care. This approach to medical care helps to improve the doctor-patient partnership and empowers the patient during this difficult time.