Sanne Angel,
Living A Good Life Despite Limitations 5 Years Post Spinal Cord Injury
Spine and Surgery
2020

http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.SSG.2020.01.02
https://www.sciencerepository.org/living-a-good-life-despite-limitations_SSG-2020-1-102 
Abstract: The changed body functions after spinal cord injury challenges all parts of life. The recovery process is
supported by many rehabilitation initiatives. This process takes time and it is difficult to pre-tell how life
will be. With a Ricoeurian approach, peoples’ experiences of life and the difficulties they had to deal with
five years after spinal cord injury were explored. Interviews with 11 people were analysed using Ricour’s
text model. The findings showed that life can be perceived as good despite limitations entailed bodily
limitations and strains. The themes were that though bothersome, life was experienced as good and
possibilities appreciated. This implied a deliberate choice of not letting limitations take focus. Striving to try
out dreams, some found their way though dealing with bodily strain. Furthermore, Negotiation was
demanded to be socially included. In overcoming spinal cord injury, the individual dealt with all aspects of
life. Coming to terms with the limitations, the decisive factor was that it did not include a loss where value
could not be found in something else.
Keywords: Interviews, hermeneutic-phenomenology, narratives, Paul Ricoeur, recovery, rehabilitation, spinal cord injury