Each year, an estimated 10,000 people sustain an injury to their spinal cord severe enough to cause total or partial paralysis. In addition, thousands more have tumors or diseases affecting the spinal cord or nervous system that results in paralysis. A spinal cord injury has a profound impact on the life of a person, often necessitating an inpatient stay in a rehabilitation hospital.

The Spinal Cord Injury Program at Southeastern Regional Rehabilitation Center (SRRC) focuses on the needs of each individual with a specialized program that helps the patient deal with the physical, social, psychological, emotional, economic and vocational problems that accompany a spinal cord injury.

The Spinal Cord Injury Program serves individuals who have had a spinal cord injury or a related disorder (such as Multiple Sclerosis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome or multiple fractures) who have difficulty with the following: self-care skills, mobility, leisure skills, transfers, home living skills, skin care, locating and using community resources, bowel and bladder management, respiratory problems, coordination, adjustment to their injury and sexual functioning.

Upon admission to SRRC, therapists from each discipline evaluate the patient. Based on this evaluation, as well as input from the patient, the team sets short-term and long-term goals. As the patient progresses, or if problems arise, goals will be adjusted so that they continue to meet the patient’s needs and encourage independent functioning.

SRRC emphasizes the critical importance of active family participation. The team encourages family involvement in all aspects of the patient’s therapy. The SRRC staff is also available to provide families with the support they need at this critical time.

Preparing patients for discharge is an important part of the program and includes visits to both home and school, trips to see adaptive equipment, and referrals to back-to-work programs. 

The Rehabilitation Team

Physiatrists are board-certified physicians specializing in Rehabilitation Medicine.

Physician Assistants assist the physician in providing and ordering medical care.

Rehabilitation Nurses monitor the patient’s general health and well being. Nurses teach bowel and bladder management, skin care, nutrition and patient safety. The rehabilitation nurses also provide medications and other treatments as ordered by the physician.

Physical Therapists help the patient increase his or her strength and endurance in order to help him or her achieve the highest level of independence possible. The physical therapist helps the patient learn to move about independently and recommends equipment such as wheelchairs.

Occupational Therapists work on developing and improving the patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living such as eating, grooming, bathing, cooking and housekeeping tasks. The occupational therapist may also recommend hand splints, slings and other adaptive equipment to help ensure maximum functioning.

The Psychologist works with the patient and his or her family to help with the emotional issues that occur after a traumatic injury, illness or disease.

Recreational Therapists work with the patient to help him or her return to community and leisure activities he or she enjoyed previously. The recreational therapist also introduces new activities and can provide information on adaptive devices if they are needed for participation in recreational activities.

The Program Manager is the liaison between the patient, the family and the treatment team. He or she provides periodic updates of the patient’s progress and assists with discharge planning, financial concerns and identifying resources within the community.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor is available to assist the patient with job placement, equipment and education.

The Peer Support Network is a group of individuals who have spinal cord injuries. They assist in teaching, training and helping patients and their families learn about their injuries. 

Other Team Members

The Speech/Language Pathologist works with people who have communication and swallowing problems to improve skills in those areas.

The Audiologist tests the patient’s hearing.

Respiratory Therapists work on breathing and coughing, especially for those with quadriplegia.

The Chemical Dependency Counselor is available to meet with individuals with substance abuse problems who are willing to work on the issues surrounding chemical dependency.

Group Programs

There are several specialized group programs offered to patients and families as part of the Spinal Cord Injury Program.

Mobility Group meets weekly to practice skills outside of the rehabilitation center. This may include trips to the shopping center, library or around the grounds of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. The group practices a variety of skills: mobility on carpet, grass, sand, gravel and asphalt; using elevators and ramps; getting over curbs; opening doors; and carrying items.

Community Mobility Group meets twice weekly and is an opportunity for patients to practice skills at length. Participants typically spend the afternoon at the mall, grocery store, restaurant, park or YMCA practicing skills learned at SRRC. Assignments are given to each patient and stress mobility over varied surfaces and completion of tasks, such as going through a grocery check-out line.

The Spinal Cord Injury Support Group meets once a month in the evening at SRRC. This group is for both inpatients and people in the community who have had spinal cord injuries. The group provides support for the patient and his or her family and allows the opportunity to discuss issues with others who have undergone the same experience.

Recovery

The Spinal Cord Injury Program at SRRC focuses on the individual and teaches independence. Individuals who are unable to perform some activities due to their physical limitations are taught to instruct others in their care. By maximizing function and independence, individuals who have had a severe, often life-changing injury can achieve satisfaction and resume day-to-day life experiences.

If you would like more information about the Spinal Cord Injury Program, please call (910) 609-6025 or you may call toll free in North Carolina at 1-800-682-7005.