I know how you feel somedays I am very angry about having to be in a wheelchair.  I do have some use of my legs and that is frustrating because I just want more.  When I get down I just give thanks that I am not worse.  It does help and I pray to GOD to help me understand what my purpose is in the future.

I have no faith nor any movement in my legs other than spamming that drives me insane the only thing I have to keep me from completely going nuts is my best friend and my dog

Hi Charles.......I just read your post about having only hatred and agression about being in a chair.......I get it.....have been in one for over 35 years. I don't have any answers but I do know that those feelings will only make you miserable. If you could find just one thing.....just one....to be grateful for......anything to help you wipe some of that negative energy away.I don't know you and I can think of two......a best friend.....and your dog ! They contribute wonderful things to your life......no ? Anyway.....if you can concentrate on being grateful for them.....and anything else you can muster......I think you'll find your life more tolerable. It's how I've managed to get through thirty five years post accident........and forty pre accident. I cannot tell a lie......I have a deep Faith in God.....that's been a tremendous source of comfort and courage for me. But this gratitude thing really does work. `I wish the very best for you.....your days.....your life..............Norma

Thank you for the positive energy I do try my best to focus on the positive but all my life I've had to fight for everything I am tired the only thing that really keeps me going is I tell my children they have to try their best well if they have to try then so do I my children were taken from me but I still believe that if they have to try then so do I

I agree it is very difficult I am been in the chair for only 1 1/2 years.  I also have leukemia and so I felt like how much does one person have to take.  I thank GOD most days because I have learned so much so being in a chair.  I try to be thankful for friends, family, and every day I wake up.  I know it is hard and the negative feelings do creep in often however, I just keep thinking about what really matters.  I would suggest getting out, if you don't have your license get it, it was a life saver for me.  Maybe do some volunteering as that really helps me so that I am not just sitting home.   Take Care and feel free to reach out any time.

hello Charles. I feel very sorry for you! not because you r in wheelchair, but because you can't see how good you got it in life.  Look at other people, people who are dying from bed sores and people who can't even turn their head by themselves, people who are on vent 24/7 and if light goes out it's pretty much count out to death time.
My son is 17 years old and been C1 quad since 6 years old.  His mind works perfectly, but his body isn't really cooperating with his mind.  He is fully dependent on us, family, he can't even scratch that itch in his eye or turn to the other side while sleeping, plus many many more things that for "normal" person would seem just so basic.
You have THE FRIEND and THE DOG, who make your life better.  Love them, care for them, enjoy what you have.  Just pimp pout your ride and take rides with people who care for you. STOP feeling sorry for yourself.  Yes, u got it harder than some, but you also got it easier than some.  I am wishing you to find your self and feel like your life is still great, no matter that it's in a wheelchair. GL.

I thank you for all the kind words and your right there are a hell of a lot of people are worseoff than me and they to have my best wishes but I dont care anymore if I live or die anymore I will not take my own life cause im not a coward but if while out and about to like the store and I get hit by somwone and die oh well I dont care sorry I feel that way but dont know how else to feel

Please forgive me if this comes off as an answer your already aware of. Its truly not my intention to come across that way. With that in mind I have to say we truly have the ability to wake up, and refuse a bad day. Does this mean I don't have a crappy day... HECK NO. However it means I am going to look for anything and everything positive and keep pointing it out until that behavior becomes "natural" to me. I do admit, I am FAR from natural. I never needed therapy, I never asked if I could walk again. I believe in God, and the best part of refusing to acknowledge the "limitations" put on us by the medical books they tell us how far we can improve or only with in two years of injury, the best part is here in my 7th year I am still improving. I am still gaining feelings, and movement. I love proving them wrong. I also had a great support system. Maybe you don't have this. CLING to positive people, they are contagious, keep it reverse thought in mind as well. A bad attitude is also contagious, AVOID, AVOID, AVOID!  In the second year of my injury I experienced my first huge storm. I was lucky that day because I had a friend there. The intense emotions of that day sent me right away to my shrink. I know where he is and am not one bit afraid, or ashamed to say I need him during anything that effects my mind set or feelings. I have a great one. Ask around to people in your community, maybe you can find one like mine. I am not the first to brag about him so others may be bragging about one near to you. Good luck to you! I wish you the best.
    FYI: I hate the chair with a passion; that's just where I get some of my determination to keep pushing my limits below that level of injury, squeeze that next muscle, over and over until it wakes up like the rest did. If they say I can't....I SAY WATCH AND SEE LOL

Where I live no one cares I have my beat friend and my dog that's it sorry I can't be as as positive as all of you I have never really had anyone positive in my life so Idk what to do or even how to think positive. Any help would be great I'm tired of being angry!

Hey CharLes..my name is Tiffany..i've been in a wheeLchair for over 3yrs now. .I Lost my husband to a tragic accident and then a coupLe months Later I was in a roLLover accidented and became very depressed and wanted to just die..I know how you feeL and I have to deaL with things everyday that I wish I didn't have to deaL with..I've had to figure things out on my own which makes it very frustrating and makes you want to just give up but I don't ..I'm to stubborn..Having a pet heLps with emotionaL and mentaL support..I have a dog aLso "Ursa"...I Live in a smaLL town and the surrounding towns offer nothing for a person in a wheeLchair..I feeL Like a freak sometimes when I go pLaces..PeopLe stare Like they have never seen someone in wheeLchair..I feeL Like teLLing them to F-Off and quit stareing at me..I constantLy get asked by peopLe "What Happened to you?" which bothers me..I have the same issue with being angry and the onLy thing that heLps me is going to physicaL therapy and swimming..I 'm not sure if the city you live in offers these things but you might want to Look into it..You can't depend on others to heLp you get rid of the anger or make you happy..That's up to YOU..

Hi Tiffany I know it's up to me but I'm losing the battle there are to many issues going on that I have no control over that just keeps pushing all the wrong buttons and eats at me that's why I'm asking for help so I can get advice and use the advice to see if it helps if not I ask again because I'm out of ideas and it's about to cost my my dog and my best friend and I can't lose them I've already cut a lot of people loose because they just used me and keep putting me further behindn

Charles,
Youve made the first step. you reached out and you have people reaching back. People who know what your going threw and care about your outcome. Your making friends with the "positive" influences you need to surround you. They may not be your neighbors but they can become your best friends and truly can understand what your going threw. Your one step closer to better, thats a positive!

Hello Charles. My name is Pete and I am now 2 years past a spine tumor surgery that left me paralyzed from T-4 down. 

Please do not give up. It truly is possible to improve your situation, No more than 6 months ago I was in the same spot as you. Angry,Bitter, Defeated etc. Today I am at peace and most days content and relatively speaking... happy.

How did I get so far so fast? I searched to find some sort of meaning as to why I was "chosen" for a life that includes paralysis,chronic pain, and emotional suffering...What I found is that I was looking at my new life situation completely backward. I am sure you are seeing this as a curse..a hellish nightmare just as I did..However when you change the way you look at your situation the nightmare can become a gift.

Crazy? I'm full of sh,t? I would have responded that way. I was a lifelong Catholic and had you asked me 2 plus years ago if I believed in God I would have responded that I did. But honestly there was something that just didn't quite connect. By looking at my suffering as a positive thing and necessary for my spiritual journey on Earth I found what was missing in my relationship with God. By simply asking asking God for his mercy on me and to help me emotionally I found a sense of calm and an inner peace that has to be felt to be understood. This led to a great curiosity and I dove into many great books and writings on the subject and my rewards have been many. My marriage has improved tremendously, I feel I am a better father, and my life long struggle with alchoholism was assisted as I no longer crave a drink.

I am easy to contact if you have any interest whatsoever in discussing this further..Regardless please know that I send positive energy your way and I pray that you  turn things around and see that great things can emerge from your intense suffering.

Pete  

Hello there I just wanted  to let you know that we do have support groups out there. Places to go where people can discuss many issues. Not just how tough it maybe but how a positive outlook is possible. The NSCIA has support groups in Atlanta chapter, Houston Chapter and maybe even in a city near you. If you have any questions or concerns  don't hesitate to contact me. You can drop me a line or even email me pbrowne@projectwalkatlanta.org

Charles: Most of my life has been spent in a wheelchair. I had Polio as a child (age 9) spent  years in a chair then, also walked wi0th crutches & leg brace for many years before having to go back in a wheelchair. I use an electric scooter and take a lift-equipped bus wherever I want to go in this area. The reason I'm telling you all of this is that YOU CAN DO THIS TOO. Just venture outside. You can use your wheelchair, maybe have someone push you if need to, and visit local public meetings, parks, see a movie, go to church, attend sporting events, go fishing, etc. I do these in a chair, so can you. Becky said it right, volunteer. Every organization needs help these days. Think positive. You can make a difference in someone's life too.