Life After SCI
On June 22, 2006, I was
a 32 year old single mother of three and seven months pregnant, when a man
broke into my home, shot me in the neck, left me paralyzed from my breast line
down, and took the life of my unborn child. Despite the very horrific nature of
my SCI (Spinal Injury Cord) and losing my mobility, I celebrate life every
year. This year I am celebrating ten years of what I call my, “Wheeling
Birthday”.
When I laid in ICU
hooked up to life support, sustained by IV’s, blood transfusions, a very heavy
piece of metal bolted to my head (halo), I was told I was facing the
possibility of being dependent on a breathing machine, being paralyzed from my
neck line down, and never speaking again; all I could think about was, “How am
I going to be a mother to my kids?” Grounded in my faith I began praying and
fighting to gain back as much movement and independence as possible because I
knew my children; 13, 8, and 6 years of age at the time, still needed me.
Recovery
Medically the focus on
SCI recovery is treating:
1.
Onset of Injury
2.
Inpatient rehabilitation
3.
Outpatient
rehabilitation
 |
| Margarita with her halo and mother |
During those three
transitions the patient is inundated with information about SCI and how to
“adjust” to a new way of living, most of which you forget. You re-learn the
basics: how to eat, talk, shower, use the restroom, and brush your hair. What
we are also introduced to is how to use our new legs, our wheelchair. We learn
how to transfer in and out of it (if we can), how to physically use our new
chair, for me it was a power chair, and how to understand the importance of
paying attention to accessibility (curb cut outs, ramps, and wide doors). Once
we have, “plateaued” in our rehabilitation process and therapists can no longer
devise rehabilitation goals for insurance, rehabilitation stops, but our life
with SCI does not. Some are fortunate enough to continue their rehabilitation
through private paid programs, unfortunately, that was not an option for me. My
focus was set on getting back to being a mom as soon as possible.
It took about two months
post injury for me to regain my ability to speak again and my halo was removed
after four months of inpatient rehabilitation. After being evaluated by three
ears nose and throat doctors, eight long months later, I finally got my trachea
removed. With family support and my mother as my caregiver, I regained full custody
of my kids and got my own apartment approximately 5 months post injury. In a
little less than a year it would eventually be just my kids and I, a
quadriplegic mom, living independently and thriving despite all of the
challenges; social and physical barriers, financial and emotional burdens,
spiritual and physical brokenness, and simply trying to mourn the loss of who I
use to be.
During the recovery
phase, in all of the information they fed you and in all of the “adjustment”
training, they do not prepare you with how not to feel like a burden. I was an
active independent woman. My mother and three children relied heavily on me. I
never imagined the roles would be reversed and that I would rely on my babies
to care for me. Help me with my personal care and daily basic needs. To some
extent even rob them of their youth. This inner battle brought on a very dark
depression and a suicide attempt.
Peer Support
There is no real
“treatment” or manual to follow post outpatient rehabilitation. I relied and
continue to rely highly on peer support to get me through the many transitions
of SCI. Through peer support programs I learned about adaptive living and have
had the opportunity to: surf, sail, ski, handcycle, dance, zumba,
paint, and learn about ways to care for intimate needs such as: catheterizing,
bowel programs relationships, and even sex. What I have not learned through
peer support has been self taught, mostly trial and error just as I did as an
able bodied person.
While there have been
many struggles the past ten years, pain management, chronic UTI’s, PTSD,
depression, financial stress, family drama, the loss of many friends and still
waking up in the middle of the night sometimes thinking that the past ten years
was just a dream, I can honestly say I am a better person post injury. I
have accomplished so much in the past ten years: Ms. Wheelchair California
2013, Producer/Host of Wheel Talk Wheel Issues, numerous awards and
recognition's for my work in Ability Awareness, lead peer support and ministry
groups, and an awesome job as Director of Strategic Strategies at Axia
Management.
Embrace the New You
As I think about the
next ten years ahead, I am a little anxious, but not afraid. I know that
through God anything is possible. I look back and remember that scared 32 year
old pregnant single mother of three who lost so much and was told she would
never walk again. I persevered passed every adversity, fought every challenge,
achieved my highest potential in every endeavor, and raised three really awesome
kids despite a SCI.
I can not wait for what
is next! I am working on finalizing my book, Tragedy to Thrive,
expanding Wheel Talk Wheel Issues followers through a You Tube channel, and
more modeling and media opportunities like the upcoming The Raw Beauty Project LA taking place in
September 2016.
Life does not end after
a SCI, a new very different kind of life simply begins! It is a second chance
to accomplish new goals and become a part of a new diverse community.
Note: Follow me on Wheel
Talk Wheel Issues to learn more about life as a wheelchair user and get the
peer support you need to get through the many transitions SCI has to offer. Get
inspired by guest speakers with inspirational stories just like mine showcasing
their talents and success post SCI.
About the author:
Margarita Elizondo is a
motivational speaker, entrepreneur, producer/host of Wheel Talk Wheel Issues,
model, author, and ambassador for the Los Angeles Abilities Expo. She was
paralyzed in 2006 after an intruder broke into her home. Now, a single mother
of three and grandmother, she pursues a degree in Communication at Grossmont
Community College, and works for Axia Management where she designed a wireless
phone service for seniors and individuals with disabilities. As Ms. Wheelchair
California 2013, she is a strong advocate in the disability community and
volunteers for numerous nonprofits.
You can follow her:
Twitter: @Ms_Hotwheels
Instagram: @Ms_Hotwheels
Facebook: Margarita
Marguet-Elizondo
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