Quads who are not working - how do you spend your time?

[Van Quad]

I felt that way for many years. I essentially paid for the privilege to work. My provincial benefits and my private long-term disability benefits were clawed back. Finally, in the mid-90s I had an able-bodied friend who had serious abdominal problems with adhesions. I saw how he was going through the same roller coaster feelings of self-worth related to being off work and on his LTD. He would struggle to get back to work until he wore down again. It was like holding up a mirror. In his struggle I saw what I was doing to myself by dragging my bony ass to work. Juggling work and pressure sores, bladder infections, and kidney stones.

I couldn't be happier working for no pay on projects that I feel are important to peers. Service isn't respected when it's done on a volunteer basis, but the rewards are great.

[Sue Pendleton]

I said I wouldn't but I'll be doing more advocacy work. I'm in charge of getting our household crap organized including paperwork but that job should ease up by summer. I'm redoing a resume and yea, the last 20 years look lame to me even with what I've done in that area. I mean 10 years of PT 5 days a week just doesn't seem job like when you write it down.

[christopher]

I volunteer as a board member for around 4 different orgs and I head the finance committee for my housing co-op.

I also watch a lot of Netflix.

[KyleP2112]

Part of the life-long process of adjusting to being "disabled" after a spinal cord injury is accepting the way things are & not continuing to beat ourselves up because we're not satisfied with our lives, b/c we're not working, b/c we're not leading a "typical" life, b/c too often our days feel wasted in front of tv, etc., etc., etc., etc., etc. I'd be the first to say this is easier said than done.

[alflyhigh]

Wabi-sabi. Although I brought this disaster upon myself, everyday is a good fun fight and I train with my warrior spirit to over come many more battles.

getting really drunk and having a massive hangover is something I avoid. While sobering I get these spells where I feel like the community in general see's the idea of wasted resources. Taking the edge of that is always fun, just pop a couple open and get giddy.

i do have a master plan for a sustainable life with out much medical resources. it starts on a ranch and its a 24 hour job similar to our quad survival life... just have a bunch of things to adapt tweak and tune. good luck all and stay solid!

[all-buggered-up]

I don't work, so I write, working on my phdthe longest bibliography in history72 pgs and growing and gardening and gormet food pretty much keep me busy.

[cass]

i went back to work 9 months post. worked 27 yrs since in pain. so no magical answer. i just needed work.

[triumph]

My days are super boring. I'm always in bed. TV, DVDs, music and games on phone keep me busy. I'm up in my chair every other morning for about two hours then back in bed I go for the rest of the day.it sucks.

Your photo is great, very creative. Maybe photography or other arts would interest you.

[quad247]

I just thinkof myself as retired.Soooo many people have 2 shitty jobs,get up early,coming home late,worried about getting fired....I have a friend that drives 200 miles a day from NY to NJ just to pay the bills..no thanks..
I like pl;aying poker online and chatting with the players from all over the world....I ask questions... I also have netflix and a red boxright down the street.I just saw The Flight with Denzel washington,good movie have subscriprions to Motor Trend magazine and a few.. others.I listen to my ipod alot,put on some Metallica...I belong to a few..diffrent forums,Look into para transit,they will take you to the mall.
There are alot of things tou can do if you keep focusing on what you don't have..you'll never get anything done.
Nelson

[KyleP2112]

Great points Nelson... Who wants a shitty job anyway? haha

[endo_aftermath]

After several decades of working long but enjoyable hours, I retired at 54. Then 3.5 years of active fun later, I became a quad. I did a little consulting pre-injury and a little after, but mostly I'd completely adjusted to not working. I feel very lucky to have made the transitions in that order. There's no guilt for not working, and financially we're in good shape. I spend most of my discretionary time exercising.

[khmorgan]

i highly recommend coursera or MIT's free online classes to keep the mind active

I agree! https://www.coursera.org/ is free and has hundreds of courses covering almost every topic from math to art. There are more computer science type courses, but lots of others. I retired recently and stay busy with a couple of courses that really interest me.

[Van Quad]

Another website with great educational resources is: https://www.khanacademy.org/

[msb]

hello friends,
I am a female, 32, from India, C5-6 complete since 2003. I was finishing my engineering degree when I met with the accident. I completed it later in 2005.
I teach to school kids in my hometown and do part time online work from last 2 years.

Reading all your posts, I could very much relate but life has never been boring or depressive except the initial phase. Thanks to my family and cousins.
I learnt a lot in past few years, got better and little independent physically. I watched good amount of TV, read lots of books which I was never able to do before. Slowly and Steadily, I could figure out what I can do and what work exactly I want to do in my life.

I am not saying I earn great, but its fine. I enjoy my life and grateful to the god and my family for having the one. After all, earning and making money is not everything, one should be able to love their life which can happen only in this lifetime.

[msb]

I am a comp and net savvy...24 hrs won't be enough for me if I have a lappy n a good net connection.
I read lots of e-books, watch few soaps on tv, chat with friends online...