SNN_August 2022 Issue_web low res

NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 26
planned a lot of distractions and I had just started a
course at Ara which helped a lot. During this time, I was
offered illegal cannabis as people said this would help my
pain. But I didn’t want to go there.
Besides it being illegal I was concerned that taking
cannabis could bring on depression.
Medicinal cannabis oil could have been the next
alternative for my pain relief but by that stage I just
wanted to be off all my medications and only ever use
them when the pain got too severe.
Other things I found that helps with my pain are:
• Listening to music with noise cancelling headphones is
a good distraction
• Using a spa pool. The warmth of the water is comforting
and provides a break from the pain. For the 15 minutes I
am in the pool I stop thinking about the pain
What advice would you offer to other people with an
SCI who are at the start of their journey?
• Talk to others with an SCI
• Use the support systems that are available to you
• Ask lots of questions. I didn’t but wished I had
• Recovery takes time. It’s hard not to feel old before
your time!
• “You can’t hurt what you’ve already hurt!”
• Boom and bust—remember there will be good days and
bad days
• Once you are home, plan your day—spread tasks for
each day so you have something to look forward to
• Know your limits
• It takes several years to adjust after an SCI, so it’s
important to give yourself time to recover physically
and mentally
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