Potential

Far-reaching experiences also have potential. How do you find your skills?

“It was 10 am when I crashed down the hill with my tractor. The vehicle turned over on its own axis six times. I was lying there for three long hours. I could no longer move my body, but my thoughts were racing. My biggest hope was simply that I wouldn't die.

My father found me and I was transferred to the Swiss Paraplegic Centre in Nottwil that same day. It was only a few days later that I realised that I’d never be able to walk again. However, my stubborn streak meant that I was able to achieve goals that everyone said were impossible given the level of my spinal cord injury. Today, as somebody with a high level of tetraplegia, I can eat independently, have a new and fulfilling job despite a lot of opposition, and I’ve discovered travelling and painting.”

Social and professional reintegration forms an important goal in rehabilitation. In this process, the responsible specialist areas at the Swiss Paraplegic Centre work together closely. Stefan Staubli of ParaWork, Cordula Ruf of the Social Advice team and Marianne Boller of the Psychological Services talk about their day-to-day work and about how it feels when new potential can be developed.

“Although our holiday on Cape Verde was meant to leave us with nothing but positive memories, things didn't turn out that way... I wanted to show my two boys how to dive through the waves. Diving into the sea changed my life: I dove through the wave and landed headfirst in the sand bar. Crack! My legs wouldn't move anymore and I was panicking that I was going to drown. Almost fourteen hours later I was back in Switzerland.

I spent nine months in the Swiss Paraplegic Centre where I had to learn to do everything again: swallowing, eating, drinking. Thankfully, I've always been an ambitious fighter and I keep looking forwards. My motto is: you’ve got to make the best of it, there's no point moping around. It’s just as important to accept help.”