Friendships come in a variety of shapes and sizes, whether this be spanning a lifetime or just for a season, and will change when navigating life after your spinal cord injury.
In this article, we explore how your friendships can change after your injury and how Aspire Law can support you throughout your rehabilitation process.
Evolving friendships
It’s inevitable that all of your relationships will differ and evolve after your injury. Although there is seemingly less emphasis and importance associated with platonic relationships, these can be the most life-changing when experiencing a monumental shift in your life. It’s important not to neglect these relationships and nurture them where you can.
Nurturing friendships
For so many people, they will discover that their friendships strengthen during times of hardship, especially in relation to a spinal cord injury as it can be so transformational.
Some friendships can grow stronger after your spinal cord injury. Sometimes you can outgrow friendships, discovering who sticks by you when your circumstances change.
For some people, it makes them realise how precious life is and how lucky they are to still have you in their lives, and, as a result, putting more effort into making the most of their time with you.
Perspective is everything
On the flip side, some people with spinal cord injuries have reported that their friends have drifted away, becoming distant when there are new challenges to face.
It can feel incredibly frustrating if your friends drift from you during your time of need. Sometimes this simply shows us who our true friends are and to prioritise the people who stand by our sides.
Considering nuances
However, it’s also crucial to remember, that friendships aren’t black or white.
There is a lot of nuance to people’s situations and how this ties to their level of communication. More often than not, a lack of reaching out has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with them and their personal circumstances.
Maybe one of your friends hasn’t reached out because they have had their own life-changing events to deal with, such as a death in the family or a new baby. Although this isn’t an excuse for a lack of communication, sometimes it is a reasonable explanation as to why someone has been distant or hard to reach.
Exercising empathy for others and not blaming yourself as to why a friendship breaks down, or simply has a pause, is crucial to your mental health at this time.
Don’t isolate yourself
Some people with spinal cord injuries can turn to isolation after experiencing their spinal cord injury and during rehabilitation. They choose to face the challenges alone and feel like a burden to others, even their loved ones.
We encourage you to never isolate yourself in a time of need. Even though all of these changes happening at once can feel overwhelming, it’s crucial for your mental health to ask for help when you need it and lean on your loved ones for support.
Friends and SCI
Navigating life with your friends and family after experiencing a spinal cord injury can be difficult, especially if you experience polarities in support, as both can be overwhelming to deal with.
At this time, it’s important to put everything into perspective and focus on all of the positives you currently have in your life. Your entire range of emotions is valid whilst entering the rehabilitation process for your spinal cord injury. Acknowledging each and every one is incredibly important to giving you the mental strength to continue on your path to recovery.
Maintaining positivity
With the bad comes the good. You might feel even more appreciated and loved than you did before, showing you the true strength of human compassion. Remaining positive and exploring these positive influences on your life is a skill that can be harnessed to support and uplift you throughout this journey.
As an example, keeping a gratitude journal can help you reevaluate the positive influences in your life. Whether this is simply the ability to taste delicious food, see your loved ones, or experience the sunshine. Noticing the little things can alter your perspective for the better and allow you to appreciate all that you do have, instead of what you don’t.
Quality not quantity
And remember, quality not quantity. Although an outpouring of support can feel amazing and give you the boost you need to embark on your journey to recovery, it’s essential to consider those around you that make a difference in your day-to-day life.
Those who are there every day to support you deserve your full appreciation and gratitude and will mean so much more to you.
We’re here to support you
At Aspire Law, we care deeply about your rehabilitation journey and support you with your spinal cord injury.
As a leading law firm for spinal cord injuries, we can assist with a range of factors associated with your injury, whether this be more accessible housing, interim payments and your compensation claims.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
