SPINAL CORD INJURY
There are no easy answers to the child’s fear and depression, but here are some
suggestions families have found helpful.
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• Recognize that the child’s fear, depression, and anger are natural responses and
that with love, understanding and encouragement, he will little by little overcome them.
• Be honest to the child about her
disability. Do not tell her, “We will
find a cure for you,” or, “Soon you
will get well and be able to walk
again.” Very probably this is not
true, and telling the child such things
only makes it more difficult for the
child to accept her disability and to
begin shaping a new life. Also, as
the promised ‘cure’ fails to happen,
the child becomes more uncertain,
distrustful, and afraid. In the end,
it will be much easier for her if you
gently tell the truth. Here is one
example.
• Provide opportunities to keep the child’s mind active: playing, working, exploring,
learning through stories, games, and studies. But at the same time respect and be
supportive of the child when he feels sad and frightened. Let him cry, comfort
him when he does, but do not tell him not to cry. Crying helps relieve fear and tension.
• Start the child with exercises, activities, and relearning to use her hands and body
as soon as possible. Start with what the child can do, and build on that.
• Try to have the child watch, talk with, and get to know other persons with
spinal cord injury (or children with spina bifida), especially those who are living
full and happy lives.
• Invite the child’s friends to come visit her, play with her, and let her know that they
are eager for the day she will be back in school.
• Encourage the child to do as
much for herself as possible.
Let her do anything she can do for
herself—even if it takes longer.
Help in ways that let the
child do more for herself.
• As much as possible, avoid
‘tranquilizers’ or other strong
medicines. The child needs an
alert mind and an ability to move
actively all day.
Look for ways to help spinal cord injured persons learn
skills and play a useful, helpful role. Here 2 young, spinal
cord injured persons in PROJIMO examine a disabled
child, and give recommendations to the family, using an
early draft of this book.
disabled village children