Neuro Note #1 - Spinal Cord Injury

     Learning about spinal cord injuries and all the different types has been so interesting to me and I often catch myself wondering, how would I deal with an injury like this? So much would be taken away and life would be much different, but when I hear other peoples stories, I feel so selfish. It is so inspiring and tear-jerking seeing how they adapt to a different lifestyle and get back to life as best as they can. Also, as a future OT, being able to help others with this injury adapt to life will be so rewarding! Alicia Reagan is a mom, wife, and christian that is living with a spinal cord injury. While she was expecting her 6th child she developed Transverse Myelitis, which is virus that attacks the spinal cord, and left her paralyzed from the ribs down. Her spinal cord was damaged at the C5-C7 vertebrae level.
     Reagan uses her blog and youtube channel This Enabled Life, to inspire others who are living with an SCI, and also those who want to learn or hear about her story. She has multiple YouTube videos of tips on how she deals with certain daily activities (blowing drying hair, shaving legs, cooking, etc.) and also certain obstacles that she faces or deals with on a daily basis. I chose to write about her because she amazes me with her faith and motivation to keep on keeping on. I have learned so much about what it is like to live with a spinal cord injury just by watching her videos. Also, we are learning about the different areas of the vertebrae and what affects each level. Being able to visualize a real life story of a C5-C7 injury has been helpful! 
     One video that stood out to me was her showing what is looked like to have a spasm. As she struggled to get out the bed and transfer to her wheelchair in the mornings, she experiences spasms. She commented that it is very embarrassing when this happens, especially in public, but wanted her followers to see what it looked like. THAT IS HUGE!!!! I didn't know what that looked like so it was very neat to see, but also very heartbreaking. Her story is so heartening and I encourage everyone to check out her blog and YouTube channel which I will link below.

https://aliciareagan.com 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO-DMDPGPWe8_aoklNWDmpA
   

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