Résumé :
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Eighteen years ago, a road traffic accident left me paralysed and without sensation below my neck. My brain was (and is) still working and I made the decision to enjoy my life as much as possible for as long as possible. I have now lived independently in my own home for ten years with only a three day hospital admission to adjust my pain medication. Changes in public attitude and UK Law have enhanced user status. I returned to live inmy own home and trained to bemy own caremanager in 1998. I concentrated on understandingmy care needs and acquiring the knowledge to achievemy aimof living safely at home with the informed ability tomakemy own choices and decisions. In particularmy training programprovided an awareness of early signs and symptoms before they develop into complications. I use non-invasive monitoring of oxygen saturation; heart rate; temperature and blood pressure. A training program requires evaluation by national/international standards incorporating a clear understanding of the problems faced by the user, and in this regard, I obtained the Open University Certificate in Health and Social Care.. Travelling has developed frombeing a challenge to an opportunity to extend interests and tomeet others. Following the JIVD Congress in Lyon I was elected a Trustee to the Spinal Injuries Association (a user-led organisation) and this has enabled me to keep abreast of policy changes and of influencing government decisions. In my 18 years experience a high point was to know that the American Spinal Injuries National Data Base with comprehensive data of spinal injured people from 1972/73 gave me an expectation of life of 'normal minus about seven years'. I am pursuing my team to achieve a similar outcome for me!! 'Its guid to be merry and wise, Its guid to be honest and true' Robert Burns (National poet of Scotland)
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