My Spinal Cord Injury Story

By Scihealthhub – May 22, 2025

Many writers have described spinal cord injury as a life-altering condition. I agree—completely.

This is the story of how I sustained a spinal cord injury, and how my dreams, faith, and support system carried me through one of the most difficult seasons of my life.

Chasing a Dream in Medical School

In 2004, I was in my fifth year of medical school, just a year away from finally becoming a doctor. It was an exciting time—I was steadily inching closer to achieving my childhood dream of becoming a neurosurgeon par excellence.

That dream had always been clear: six years in medical school, then residency in neurosurgery. Every step I took brought me closer to the future I envisioned. But life, as I later came to understand, can throw unimaginable curveballs.

The Day Everything Changed

April 20, 2004.

It’s a date I will never forget.

Along with a group of fellow medical students, we traveled to a neighboring state to support a friend who had just lost her father. The journey was supposed to be brief and uneventful. We hired two minibuses for the trip, chatted, laughed, and bonded along the way.

On our return journey, tragedy struck.

One of the tires on our bus burst while we were in motion, and in a split second, our vehicle was involved in a devastating accident. The force of the crash was enough to render me unconscious.

Waking Up to a New Reality

I regained consciousness several hours later in a hospital bed, disoriented and in severe pain. But something felt very wrong. I couldn’t feel my legs. The lower half of my body was numb.

As a medical student, I already had a fair understanding of neuroanatomy. Deep down, I feared what the numbness might mean—but nothing could prepare me for the confirmation from my doctors.

“You’ve sustained a spinal cord injury,” they said gently.

I was shocked. Devastated. Terrified.

The words echoed in my mind again and again. My heart sank. I knew the implications—a life of uncertainty, physical limitations, and the possibility of never walking again. It felt as though my whole world had caved in.

Processing the Pain

Coming to terms with the spinal cord injury diagnosis was a nightmare. I cried in silence. I questioned everything. My mind kept wandering to all the “what ifs.” What would happen to my dream of becoming a neurosurgeon? Would I ever walk again? Could I ever live a normal life?

But I’m a strong believer that with God, all things are possible. And that belief became my anchor.

I leaned into my faith. In those dark and uncertain moments, I had to dig deep into my soul to find hope. Hope that, even though my path had changed, my purpose remained.

Treatment, Bed Rest, and Rehabilitation

My doctors acted swiftly. I underwent all the necessary treatments —resuscitation, stabilization, and the beginning of a long journey of rehabilitation.

The first six weeks were tough. I was placed on strict bed rest to allow for spinal stabilization. Lying in bed day after day, unable to move freely, was emotionally and physically draining. But I held on. After the sixth week, I was gradually allowed to sit up in bed. That small milestone felt like a giant leap.

Soon, I progressed to using a wheelchair.

The Power of Support

What truly helped me during this trying period was the unwavering love and support of my family, friends, and classmates. They were there every step of the way—visiting me in the hospital, offering encouraging words, praying with me, and helping me laugh again. Their presence gave me strength when mine was depleted. 

Knowing how expensive the treatment of spinal cord injury was, some students even engaged in an aggressive fundraising drive on my behalf. Their compassion and kindness reminded me that I was not alone.

In those moments, I learned that healing isn’t just physical—it’s emotional and spiritual too. The human connection, the outpouring of care, and the simple reassurance that I was still valuable meant everything.

Life After the Injury

Adjusting to life in a wheelchair was challenging, but it was also an opportunity for growth. My journey took a new direction—one I had never imagined, but one that still allowed me to live, to love, to learn, and to contribute meaningfully to society.

I may not have become the neurosurgeon I once dreamed of, but I did become a medical doctor. And more importantly, I became an advocate, a voice, and a symbol of hope for others living with spinal cord injuries.

Closing Thoughts

Spinal cord injury changed my life, but it didn’t end it.

I’ve learned to live fully, adapt creatively, and fight passionately for inclusion, accessibility, and awareness. My faith in God, the support of my loved ones, and my inner resolve have seen me through—and they still do.

To anyone going through a serious condition or setback: don’t give up. The road may be rough and unpredictable, but with time, support, and faith, it is possible to find joy and meaning again.

This is my story.

And I’m still writing it—one hopeful day at a time.