u/Cute_Ride_3934

Hi everyone,

I’m a 34 yo next month T8 complete para (injured May 2020, T5-T10 fusion). I’m currently 21 weeks pregnant with my first child, and I’m looking for some advice and lived experience insight on a few things as I prepare for this next chapter.

I’ve been living in Western Europe for about two years. Currently, my life is very localized: everything I need (grocery, cafes, bookstore, gym, etc.) is within a 2 km radius. I use a manual chair (sometimes with an increasingly crappy SmartDrive) and usually roll on the bike lanes/asphalt because sidewalks can be incredibly rough. For longer trips, I rely on my husband driving, PMR taxis or public transit. I haven't driven since my injury.

With the baby coming, I know my radius will need to expand. Between doctor appointments, daycare, and eventually school, I need to start driving again.

I’m looking for advice on a few specific things:

Learning to drive again / Hand controls: For those who learned to drive post injury, what was your timeline like? I know I'll have to go through the official department for driving suitability to get my medical fitness certificate and determined hand control specifications before I can legally adapt a car or take lessons... I drove for 10 years before injury if that's relevant.

Vehicle recommendations: What types of cars work best for a para parent? I need something that can accommodate my manual chair, a baby car seat/stroller, and allow for efficient transfers. European cities usually don’t have the huge North American spaces, so I’m thinking probably not a van? Obviously, I’ll listen to experience.

My finances are solid, so I am willing to invest in the right vehicle adaptations and gear to make this as smooth and safe as possible for me and the baby.

Thanks in advance for any tips, stories, or resources you can share!

I’m in continental Europe and it’s currently "people are actually dying" levels of hot. I’ve spent my entire day alternating between hiding in a north facing room with the blinds drawn, essentially living off framboise sorbet; and sitting in the shower under cool water.

I really don’t handle heat well to begin with, but this time I feel like I'm cooking from the inside out.

Does anyone have tried and true tips or life hacks for cooling off (t8 complete)? I’m desperate for any advice that isn't just "eat more sorbet" (though I’m not stopping that either).

Hey everyone,

I’m (33f t8 complete since 2020) currently almost 20 weeks pregnant and lately it feels like I’m hitting a wall with my bladder. For the last two weeks, I’m having to cath way more often, including twice a night (posting this at 3AMish lol), and I’m still having significant leaks. It’s getting a bit exhausting.

My OB/GYN (who has SCI experience) is already suggesting a Foley coupled with Hiprex for the third trimester. I’m apprehensive for two main reasons:

1. UTIs: I had a nightmare time with infections back when I had a Foley right after my injury. I'm on a streak of almost two years without a UTI and I really want to keep it that way.
2. Bladder Capacity: I’m worried about my bladder shrinking if it’s constantly draining for three+ months.

My question is for others here who navigated a pregnancy with a thoracic injury. Did you stick with IC until the end, or did you go for the Foley (I can’t really consider any surgical options at this stage because of the risk to the pregnancy)? If you did the Foley, how did you manage the UTI risk, and was your bladder "normal" again once it was removed?

I’ll also consult with a specialist urologist (as I have no idea what exactly is causing the leaks: pressure, bladder spasms or a combination of both) soon but any advice from those with lived experience would be hugely appreciated.

Hi, I've played since I was a kid. After my injury I didn't really pay any attention to the pedals (I have no voluntary movement below injury) but now I want to play some pieces that require the sustain pedal. I play a digital piano (Kawai CN301). What are my options? I found this but no idea how intuitive it would be (not to mention it seems a bit pricey for a hobby). I'm looking for something that feels natural for classical pieces where I can't really take my hands off the keys. Has anyone DIY’d a solution or found a cheaper alternative to expensive breath controllers?

P.S. sorry for the tag, couldn't find a more relevant one 😄