Finding support and community following paraplegia
It’s fair to say Elise* has always been at the heart and soul of her community. She was working as a mental health support worker, providing comfort and assistance to those in need. But one day, on her way to pick up a client, Elise’s life took a dramatic turn. A car accident left her with a spinal cord injury, rendering her unable to walk and confining her to a wheelchair.
The accident was harrowing. Elise’s car was struck by a speeding vehicle, causing it to spin out of control and crash into a barrier. The impact resulted in an incomplete thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI), leaving her mostly paralysed from the waist down. The physical pain was immense, but the emotional toll was even greater.
Elise faced a new reality. Before her injury she was very active, and now had to navigate a very different existence, and her initial months were filled with despair and uncertainty. “When I was first dealing with the prospect of life in a wheelchair, I was fending off this absolute feeling of devastation,” Elise recalls. “I didn’t want to give in to that, but I didn’t know what to think, where to turn, or how to process everything.” Determined not to let her injury alone define her, Elise slowly but surely began to rebuild her life. She sought help from a psychologist and connected with online communities of people facing similar challenges. The support she found at Spinal Cord Injuries Australia was invaluable.
“Over the course of about six months, I picked myself up and realised it doesn’t have to be a descent into darkness,” she says. These connections became a lifeline, offering hope and solidarity.
Another significant turning point came when Elise found Law Partners, a specialist personal injury law firm that helped her secure financial compensation through CTP insurance, workers’ compensation, and a TPD claim via her superannuation fund. “I found a law firm that helped me get more financial compensation than I thought was possible. This opened up new options for me and made a massive difference,” she says.
This financial support was crucial in enabling Elise to regain her independence. With the compensation, Elise made essential modifications to her home. She smoothed floor surfaces, installed ramps, adjusted sink, tap, and counter heights, widened doors and entryways, and added grab bars and handrails around her home and in the bathrooms. Light switches and power points were relocated, and smart home devices were added to make daily tasks more manageable. These changes essentially future-proofed her home, allowing Elise to live more independently and comfortably.
Elise’s journey to independence didn’t stop there. She embraced her passions with renewed vigour. An avid bird watcher, she found solace in nature, observing the beauty of the world around her. Her love for fantasy novels and fan fiction connected her with more online communities of like-minded enthusiasts. And Elise also rekindled her passion for playing chess, both online and in-person, and met her new partner at a local chess club.
“Life’s not over and life still matters,” Elise affirms. “There’s so much I still want to do. I’ve been able to stay connected with my immediate community, family, and friends, and I get so much strength and contentment from this. Since being permanently on wheels, I’ve even met my new partner playing in my local chess club. I’m not quite at her standard, but we’re working on strategy together!”
Elise’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, community, and the unwavering human spirit. Some days are still tough, but despite the challenges, she has forged a new path, finding beauty, hope, and empowerment in her life. Her journey is an inspiration, showing that with determination and support, one can overcome even the most daunting obstacles.
For more information about personal injury compensation, read the Law Partners guide, ‘Accident compensation claims and payouts’.
*Please note: Details in this story have been changed to protect the privacy of the person featured.
