Abstract

Spinal cord injury generates a unique multiplicity of problems which must be clearly understood by the considerable number of health care and rehabilitation professionals involved in the lifetime management of injured people. Taking a broad perspective, this book successfully offers an educational approach to spinal cord injury management in which the client becomes an active participant. Brief outlines of aetiology and spinal cord injuries are provided, along with an extensive examination of means to minimize disability and reduce handicapping impacts in the community. Client independence is stressed, as is empowerment for problem solving and decision making in all aspects of life. In line with this approach, the first two chapters (1. Rehabilitation and self-determination; 2. Education as the key to rehabilitation) present a concept of empowerment in rehabilitation and an educational view of the process of learning to live with a suddenly acquired disability. Chapters 3 to 5 cover the medical aspects of spinal cord injury, with a study of aetiology, impairments, acute care, disability reduction and engagement in self-care activities. The management of high lesions in a rehabilitation context is examined separately in chapter 6, as this is a highly specialized area and one that is largely ignored, both in therapy literature and in professional practice. The final chapters focus upon psychological issues, and upon aspects such as productivity, leisure and socialization, which are important both in early phases of management and in the long term (7. Psychological adaptation; 8. Living with a spinal cord injury: productivity, leisure and socialization; 9. Long-term issues and ageing; 10. The way forward). Klappentext und aus dem Vorwort