New Start

Every day gives us the opportunity for a new start. How do you start a new life situation?

"I was born with the diagnosis of spina bifida. This disease is a congenital spinal cord injury that cannot be healed. Since I was born, I’ve had major surgery at least three times. Now, I just have a few minor operations to go.

I always knew that I was a little different to my siblings and school friends. For a long time, this wasn't a problem. However, in Year 4, it became obvious: the interests of and possibilities for my able-bodied friends were becoming increasingly different to those for me in my wheelchair.

When I switched to a school for children with physical disabilities, I realised that there were lots of other children like me. Today I know that I can do lots of things in a wheelchair, too. My family has taught me to see everything that’s still possible. I do wheelchair sports and I’m good at them. I’m soon going to be applying for apprenticeships."

The Intensive Care Unit is already part of rehabilitation. This is where the new start begins. Keeping joints mobile, overcoming swallowing and speech difficulties caused by breathing, identifying cognitive problems, dealing with emotional strain, and many other processes make up the first step towards independence.  Tom Hansen and Annemiek de Jager of the Swiss Paraplegic Centre both have a great deal of experience in the care and treatment of patients on the Intensive Care Unit. They tell us what affects patients and relatives – but also what they themselves are affected by.