Starting to use a catheter can make ordinary parts of your day suddenly feel unfamiliar. You may find yourself thinking about things you never had to plan before: when and where you’ll catheterize, what supplies you need to bring, whether you’re doing everything correctly, and what happens when you’re away from home.
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Many people with a spinal cord injury enjoy adaptive water sports and aquatic activities. There are many reasons for this—connecting with nature, the social aspect, and enjoying something new. Buoyancy is particularly enjoyable for those activities where you are in the water, such as swimming, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Propelling yourself forward in or under the water can provide a sense of newfound freedom and mobility that you can’t get on land.
When intermittent catheterization is part of your daily routine, questions are common and expected.
Maybe you've wondered whether you're catheterizing too often or too little. Perhaps you experience a time when catheterization felt uncomfortable, or you've noticed something different and wondered whether it's normal. Even people who have been self-catheterizing for years can have questions as their routines, health, or lifestyles change.
And chances are, if you've wondered about something, other catheter users have wondered about it too.
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Returning to work after a spinal cord injury may require that you and your employer make some workplace accommodations to stay safe, be comfortable, and make it easier for you to get things done.
Fortunately, there are many innovations and assistive technologies that help you create a great working environment. Many assistive technology products and adaptive equipment cost very little, so it is in your employer’s best interest to make these minor workspace accommodations.
A new school year comes with plenty to think about. And if your child uses intermittent catheters, you may have a few extra questions. Will they have enough time and privacy? What happens if they need help? Will they remember their schedule when the school day gets busy?
A little planning can go a long way. By practicing your child’s routine, communicating with school staff, and planning for unexpected situations, you can help your child feel comfortable, prepared, and confident.
After a spinal cord injury, it's important that you are aware of your vulnerability to certain medical conditions. Your medical team may have informed you of common dangers such as burns, pressure sores, and muscle spasms. However, there is a lesser-known medical problem unique to many people with a spinal cord injury that is serious and can be life-threatening. It's called autonomic dysreflexia.
Autonomic dysreflexia can occur for some people with a spinal cord injury with dire consequences—stroke, seizure, or cardiac arrest. It can happen when autonomic dysreflexia triggers cause your body to overreact to many different types of stimuli below your spinal cord injury. One complication is your autonomic nervous system can send your blood pressure spiking to dangerous levels.
It can be difficult to ask for help, especially from your adult children. As parents, many of us are used to being the ones offering support, not the ones receiving it. That shift can feel uncomfortable, even emotional.
Waking up to an ostomy leak at night is frustrating, stressful, and exhausting. Sleep is vital for healing—no one wants to spend it worrying about their pouch.
Running out of medical supplies is one of the biggest concerns we hear from customers—and for good reason. Having what you need, when you need it, is essential to maintaining your health, independence, and peace of mind.
