Dead too soon?
Spinal cord injury and quality of life
February 9, 2010
| by Derek Miedema , Researcher, Institute of Marriage and Family Canada
Executive Summary
Those who have never experienced a spinal cord injury and see people living as quadriplegics have a difficult time associating this condition with a high quality of life.
Yet scientific research shows individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) do recover joy in their lives.
Research shows that the following aspects play a large role in the recovery of quality of life in those with an SCI:
- Social involvement is vital to a high sense of life satisfaction 1
- Family: People with SCI were significantly happier with their family life than the
general population2
- Dignity-affirming relationships: Dr. Harvey Chochinov writes, “[t]he reflection that patients see of themselves in the eye of the care provider must ultimately affirm their sense of dignity”3
- Adjusting to change over the passage of time: With the help of supportive family and community, individuals with an SCI can sustain a high quality of life, even in the face of complications brought on by age
Recommendations
- Given that research shows the passage of time is one of the requirements of returning to a joyful life aer a tragic accident, the option of legalized assisted suicide cuts off the very process that would allow a patient to recover meaning. Assisted suicide for people with a spinal cord injury should never be made legal
- Increased education to help children and adults to accept and understand that persons with an SCI can and do regain a high quality of life post-injury
- Government should continue to support local and provincial rehabilitation centres
- Families and spouses who are able to journey together through the changes brought on by a spinal cord injury can be foundational to the quality of life of their loved ones just by virtue of the dignity and respect given during that journey
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Dead too soon?
Endnotes
- Post, M.W.M., de Witte L.R, van Asbeck F.W.A., van Dijk A.J., Schrijvers, A.J.R.. (1998). Predictors of health status and life satisfaction in spinal cord injury. Archive of Physical Medication and Rehabilitation. 79, pp. 395-401.
Post, M. W. M., Van Dijk, A. J., Van Asbeck, F. W. A., Schrijvers, A. J. P. (1998). Life satisfaction of persons with spinal cord injury compared to a population group. Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medication. 30, pp. 23–30. - Post, M.W.M, Van Dijk, A.J. et al. (1998). Life satisfaction of persons with spinal cord injury
- Chochinov, H.M. (2004, April 1). Dignity and the eye of the beholder. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 22(7), pp. 1336-1340.