Reclaiming Life After Spinal Cord Injury

When it occurred, I was just 23 years old. Then, all of a sudden, I lost my footing and slid down onto some rocks. I was strolling on the roof of my house in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The next thing I remember, I was lying in a hospital bed with a spinal cord injury. I don’t even know how I got there. Folks call it quadriplegia.

At first, the news was devastating to me. I was unable to walk or even move my legs at that point. I had the impression that my life was over. On the other hand, as time went on, I became aware that I needed to make the most of the circumstances I was in. The events that had transpired were beyond my ability to alter, but I was in complete control of how I would respond to them.

I started taking classes to teach me new skills that would assist me in living with my injury. I was taught how to operate a wheelchair properly and how to make secure transfers into and out of the chair. In addition to that, I was able to teach myself how to dress, cook my own meals, and even drive a car that had been adapted to include hand controls.

However, the focus was not solely on acquiring practical skills. I also needed to concentrate on my frame of mind. I had to educate myself on how to exercise patience with myself and recognize when I needed assistance from other people. I had to come up with fresh strategies if I wanted to continue being active and involved in the environment around me.

Getting active with a local organization that advocates for the rights of people with disabilities was one of the things that benefited me the most. I met a number of other people with disabilities who were accomplishing remarkable things, such as founding their own businesses, campaigning for accessibility, and even participating in athletics.

I came to the realization that my impairment did not have to prevent me from achieving my goals. Even if my plans had changed, it was still possible for me to accomplish all of my objectives and realize all of my ambitions. I started attending lessons over the Internet, and finally, I acquired certificates in both creative writing and digital marketing through WordPress. At the moment, I work as a data analyst for an American company that specializes in market analysis and financial advice.

Following the accident, I had to readjust to the many changes that had occurred in my life. One of the things that was really challenging was dating and maintaining relationships. Due to the nature of my condition, I was concerned that no one would want to spend time with me. I had the impression that I wasn’t complete and that there was something lacking in me.

But then I started dating the woman who is now my wife. She was brilliant, hilarious, and stunning all at the same time. We connected through a social media platform and immediately clicked with one another. I was very anxious about telling her about my impairment; yet, from the very beginning, she was very supportive and sympathetic to my situation.

After getting to know one another through conversation, we gradually fell in love. Even though I was still anxious about the future and what it might bring, she never wavered in her dedication to being by my side. She loved me despite my impairment because she was able to look past it.

In 2017, we tied the knot, and looking back, it was easily one of the happiest days of my life. Our wedding was an authentic Pakistani ceremony, and all of our loved ones were in attendance. It was embarrassing to be confined to a wheelchair in front of everyone, but she helped me overcome my anxiety and regain my self-esteem.

Of course, being married has not been without its share of difficulties. Getting into and out of bed, as well as taking a shower, are examples of activities in which I occasionally require additional assistance. On the other hand, she has never abandoned me and is always ready to lend a hand in whatever capacity she can.

In addition to that, we’ve had to negotiate the views held by society towards disabled people. Some people in Pakistan have the misconception that I am unable to perform certain tasks simply due to the fact that I use a wheelchair. This is one of the many ways that individuals with disabilities can be stigmatized in Pakistan. However, she has been an ardent supporter of mine, fighting anyone who attempts to discriminate against me and standing her ground.

Other obstacles, such as determining how we can travel together and locating lodging that is accessible, have also been placed in our path. But we’ve always tackled these challenges as a team, pooling our resources and expertise to come up with answers that are satisfactory to both of us.

She has been my rock through everything that has happened. She has shown me that having a disability does not have to be an obstacle to having a happy and loving life. And while my disability is something that will always be a component of my life, it is not the only thing that defines who I am. I’ve stayed the same since 2003: a young guy, a husband, an attorney, a digital skills trainer, a freelancer, and a dreamer. And I know that absolutely anything is possible as long as my wife is by my side.

As I reflect on the path I’ve traveled, I’ve come to the conclusion that my disability hasn’t been as big of a barrier to my success as I had anticipated it would be. I have been able to realize my goals and live a life of fulfillment thanks to the encouragement and support of those closest to me as well as my own dogged persistence.

I am pleased with what I have achieved despite the challenges I have faced along the way. Even though I am unable to walk, I am still capable of leading a life that is rich with purpose and fulfillment. And who can say for sure? It’s possible that one day I’ll launch my own business, which will sell assistive technology in Pakistan and also include a digital agency that will be managed by individuals with disabilities.

The accident may have altered the course of my life, but it did not come to constitute who I am. I am still Abdul Jabbar, and I have not lost any of my ability to accomplish great things.

I hope that by sharing my story, I might offer some hope and encouragement to you or someone you know who is going through anything similar to what I went through. However, challenging it may be, having a disability is not the end of the road. Anything is achievable if one is willing to put in the time, and effort, and displays a modicum of bravery.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this, and I hope you’ll consider following me at https://sci360.pk/ so that you can access further narratives and observations about living with a handicap, navigating relationships, and experiencing life to the fullest.