PossAbility UnlimitedWhere PossAbility begins and limits end
PossAbility Unlimited seeks to provide Community, Adaptation, Respite, and Education (C.A.R.E.) for individuals affected by spinal cord injury and their caregivers. We do this by providing retreats and educational support.
Providing C.A.R.E.
- Bi-annual retreats for individuals (ages 18+) and their caregivers.
- Education
- Video education for individuals, medical providers, and caregivers
What we do and why
Spinal cord injuries can happen at any age and stage of life, often through traumatic experiences. Families and friends are often then thrown into caregiver roles with very little training or support. PossAbility stands in the gap by providing support for individuals with SCIs as well as for those who care for them.
“A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the tight bundle of cells and nerves that sends and receives signals from the brain to and from the rest of the body. The spinal cord extends from the lower part of the brain down through the lower back” (NIH, 2023).
“SCI can be caused by direct injury to the spinal cord itself or from damage to the tissue and bones (vertebrae) that surround the spinal cord. This damage can cause temporary or permanent changes in sensation, movement, strength, and body functions below the site of injury” (NIH, 2023).
The individuals that PossAbility serves have paraplegia (paralysis that affects their legs and/or trunk) or quadriplegia (paralysis that affects all four extremities). Many individuals with SCI use a wheelchair for mobility and many have issues with bowels, bladder, and skin. These are a few of the medical issues that the PossAbility team supports during respite care.
Spinal cord injuries can be considered “complete” or “incomplete” (NIH, 2023). Complete means that there is no feeling or function below the site of injury; incomplete means that individuals may have some feeling or function below the site of injury (NIH, 2023). For this reason, every individual with an SCI has unique medical needs and unique functionality. Not one person with an SCI has the exact same function even if their injury level is similar. PossAbility seeks to provide support that is unique to each individual and meets their individual needs.
Reference
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke [NIH]. (2023). Spinal cord injury. Health Information. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/spinal-cord-injury
Spinal cord injury is a unique disability because people can acquire it at any time during their lifetime. Individuals with traumatic SCI were not born with their disability but rather had some type of trauma that caused it whether by a sports injury, car accident, surgical complication, or other injury. Many of these individuals were quickly thrown into the disabled population with no time to adjust. Some have good social support and care and good resources or rehabilitation programs; others have none. Because most individuals are not children when their injury occurs, many have long wait times for government aid and inadequate finances since their new disability requires additional care and expensive medical equipment. Family members often become caregivers, having very little training or support. In addition, most individuals with SCI do not have cognitive disabilities and lived typical lives before they were injured. Many struggle with mental health after their injury because they are adjusting to a new life with new challenges and are suddenly treated differently because they use a wheelchair.
PossAbility seeks to provide support for these individuals whose community systems are often lacking. PossAbility provides bi-annual retreats and educational resources so individuals and caregivers have resources they need.