As I reflect on my journey, one challenge that has unexpectedly surfaced is maintaining intimacy in the wake of a spinal cord injury. This is a topic I was hesitant to talk about but believe is something a lot of us can relate to.
When I was first injured in 2010, wondering if I was still able to have kids and be sexually active was a big worry of mine. One of my first thoughts after my injury was: Could I still have sex? I knew a spinal injury cord injury impacts sensation and mobility down there. Over the past thirteen years, through trying different things, I have figured out what works for me and what doesn’t. I know that you can still have a healthy sex life despite dealing with a spinal cord injury, but things are not the same as pre-injury.
There are many ways to be intimate and physical with your partner. Everyone’s injury is different and what works for one person may not work the same for another. Navigating this topic can be uncomfortable and awkward especially when you are a teen like I was when I was newly injured.
Masturbation is something that a lot of us engage in, but don’t talk about openly. Dealing with a spinal cord injury, a lot of your privacy is taken away and you have to rely on others for help. You are no longer able to independently do things in private like you did before and it honestly sucks. I don’t think a lot of people realize the impacts a spinal cord injury has on your life. So much more of your life is affected other than just the physical paralysis.