A sudden, life-changing accident disrupts everything — the body, daily life, and even the sense of who we are. It shatters the belief that we control our world and that life is predictable.
For someone who becomes paraplegic after an accident, a deep transformation begins — both physically and psychologically. The body that used to move with ease suddenly becomes paralyzed, unpredictable, sometimes experienced as “absent.” Yet the mind often continues to expect movement, to imagine or even feel it. This gap is a natural psychological defense, protecting us from the full impact of the trauma.
The once-familiar body may now feel foreign. It is still you… but no longer responds to your will. This can lead to shame, anger, fear, or a sense of betrayal. Self-confidence is shaken. How can you remain yourself when part of you seems to have disappeared?
Grieving the Body From “Before”
Spinal cord injury creates several separations:
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from old habits and routines
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from previous social roles
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from future plans
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and most painfully… from the body as it used to be
This rupture is real: a part of the body no longer obeys. It may be absent at times — and overwhelming at others (pain, spasms, sensitivity). This creates a sensation of being cut in two.
Each day requires learning again — dressing, moving, performing ordinary actions that once required no thought. These moments can feel humiliating or frustrating. The present becomes a repetition of challenges.
To move forward, the mind must begin a painful but essential process:
grieving the intact body.
This grief is unique:
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you haven’t lost someone else,
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you have lost a former version of yourself.
How do you grieve a part of yourself when you are still alive? How do you recognize yourself in a changed body?
Between “Before” and “After”
Many describe the sensation of living on a broken timeline. There is a “before” — vivid in memory — and an “after” that feels uncertain and difficult to inhabit.
Some speak of a symbolic death, a life that is over and will never return. Accepting this reality can become a form of rebirth: rebuilding identity, shaping new goals, and reconnecting with one’s own story.
This back-and-forth between what was lost and what must be built is normal. Rehabilitation is not linear — it includes successes and setbacks. What matters is continuing the journey.
Why Psychological Support Matters
No one should have to face such a life upheaval alone.
A psychologist can help you:
✔ Express and process overwhelming emotions
✔ Reduce fear, shame, anger, or sadness
✔ Rebuild confidence and a new body image
✔ Strengthen self-worth and personal identity
✔ Create a future that still has meaning and direction
The goal is not to erase the accident — but to become the author of your own life again.
If You Are Going Through This — We're Here for You
Whether this concerns you or a loved one, you can find here a safe space to talk, reflect, and heal. Recovery takes time, but every step matters — and you do not have to take them alone
