Talk about a loaded question! By the time you’re done reading this article you will likely understand why I choose not to go get manicures or pedicures, spend money on wild vacations, go shopping often, and have tremendous respect for all fellow disabled folks trying to make it from day-to-day.
As if breaking your neck were not insult enough having to deal with being paralyzed from the chest down, having bowel and bladder issues, pressure sores, respiratory infections, caregivers full-time, etc.; the financial burdens associated with any type of disability really can be more debilitating than the disability itself!
When one is newly injured there are pretty much two ways you can go with respect to finances.
The first is if a family does not have the financial resources to support the endless costs of being paralyzed. If this is the case then you have to rely on government support ranging from Social Security Disability to Medicaid/Medicare, and various other government assistance programs.
The second option for newly injured patients is if they do have the financial resources to support themselves whether that be comfortably or just barely able to get by. Fortunately, I have a family that has been able to help support me and provide what I needed while I was getting back on my feet and working, but not without having to budget everything down to the dollar on a daily basis.
Read the rest on Push Living Magazine: https://pushliving.com/how-expensive-is-it-to-be-paralyzed/