Cultivating Your Spirit after Spinal Cord Injury
We tend to think, for better or for worse, that our value in life is dependent solely upon our ability to be productive members of society. If we think this, then our self-worth, self-esteem, and even our spirit comes from our vocation in our community. Unfortunately, the community of those with a spinal cord injury has been one of the highest unemployed communities in the country. In fact, after 5 years post injury, only 20.7% of those with spinal cord injury are competitively employed according to the 2008 United States Census Bureau.[1] This is a great concern when considering the recovery and rehabilitation of our Clients here at NeuLife.
So this really begs the question, “How do we increase the likelihood for our Clients to become productive members of society?” One recent study suggests that those with a spinal cord injury increase their likelihood of employment by participating in organized sports as opposed to individually planned exercise. This is true even after taking into account BMI, age, duration of injury, and severity of injury.[2] If you have ever participated in sports then you can easily understand that there are inherent values associated with them apart from the possibility of leading to employment. There is the possibility of increasing self-esteem, being a part of a peer group that understands your problems, networking, and learning team work.[3] These benefits alone are an important part of re-integrating back into the community.
Of course, this is not to say organized sports are a panacea. Even the study suggests that there are limitations to understanding why organized sport seems to promote employment.[4] However, there are obvious benefits of organized sport activity that one can extrapolate from the data. Here at NeuLife we encourage our Clients to participate in group games in order to rekindle that competitive spirit. We mentor our Clients about the possibilities of living a complete and fulfilling life. Just because one may have physical limitations does not mean they are limited individuals. We provide our Clients with resources to assist them in reaching out in order to become a part of their community. We understand all too well that without support from peer mentoring groups, life can be like a rudderless ship wading through rough seas. Hopefully one day the relationships gained from being involved in the community will lead to gainful employment. If you know a loved one or just someone with a spinal cord injury that could use more positive activity and socialization in their life then let them know about these organizations below. They are vital resources that will help them for the rest of their lives.
- http://www.spinalcord.org/resource-center/askus/index.php?pg=kb.printer.friendly&id=1#p21
- http://www.fscip.org/organization.htm#sports
- http://www.sci-info-pages.com/state-resources.html
- http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.ddJFKRNoFiG/b.4048063/k.67BA/The_Christopher_amp_Dana_Reeve_Foundation__Paralysis_amp_Spinal_Cord_Injury.htm
Works Cited
Cheri Blauwet, MD, Supreetha Sudhakar, MPH, Ashley L. Doherty, MS, Eric Garshick, MD,. 2013. “Participation in Organized Sports Is Positively Associated with.” Am J Phys Med Rehabil 14.
National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center;. 2011. “The 2010 Annual Statistical Report for the Model Spinal Cord Injury Care Systems.” Birmingham.
[1] National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center;. 2011. “The 2010 Annual Statistical Report for the Model Spinal Cord Injury Care Systems.” Birmingham.
[2]Cheri Blauwet, MD, Supreetha Sudhakar, MPH, Ashley L. Doherty, MS, Eric Garshick, MD,. 2013. “Participation in Organized Sports Is Positively Associated with.” Am J Phys Med Rehabil 14.
[3] Cheri Blauwet, MD, Supreetha Sudhakar, MPH, Ashley L. Doherty, MS, Eric Garshick, MD,. 2013. “Participation in Organized Sports Is Positively Associated with.” Am J Phys Med Rehabil 14.
[4] Cheri Blauwet, MD, Supreetha Sudhakar, MPH, Ashley L. Doherty, MS, Eric Garshick, MD,. 2013. “Participation in Organized Sports Is Positively Associated with.” Am J Phys Med Rehabil 14.
