Have you heard this theory on happiness?

[daniellamcgee]

It varies for everyone. 2 years is a random amount of time. Everyone's experience is different.

If you are holding on to an old life and mourning the gulf between your new life, and old life, then you are likely to feel like you are just existing and your life is over and can develop clinical depression. If you can move through the grief sufficiently enough to adapt to your new life, then you can recalibrate and find quality of life, and purpose in some of the adapted old ways, and new ways.

Physical limitations can feel like a cage. But not so much if you have mental freedom. Life may be downsized, but small things you may have taken for granted before are more noticeable and better able to be appreciated. Like being able to move to a comfortable position, etc.

The secret of happiness is adaptation, and finding what gives your life value and enjoyment, and having the capacity to experience some of that. Old activities that become an impossibility, allow time for new interests in new phases of life. Life isn't over, it's just changed from what you thought it would be. Now we have been dealt different cards, it is up to us what we make of these ones, too.

Also, anticipation helps mental health. Always having something to look forward to, and really noticing the anticipation, and savouring the experience when you have it, makes a big difference to quality of life.

I am not a paraplegic, but I have CFS/M.E. I have been living almost totally bed-bound, in a sensory reduced room for 8 years now. I fully appreciate being in a bed, because I was sofa bound for 4 years unable to get to my bed upstairs. I appreciate having support workers keeping me alive, etc.

[semi-trad-kind-of-wife]

So, essentially, if you're a miserable bastard, you're probably going to remain one, no matter the circumstances.
Good to know

[stevemartin]

Coming from a person who isn’t Paralyzed. I am on year 2 and pretty miserable.

[quietchaos]

My house burned down in a fire a month ago. I lost everything but my life. I hope you're right but I'm not feeling so hopeful right now.

[YuzuruA]

Just to be clear that is hype research... There are a lot of good research who clearly shows that you are not ok after two years aftee becoming paraplegic. But people quote lazy research exactly because it gives big results

[amandahudson]

Wrong, it’s three years I’ve been paralized and I am absolutely miserable all the time.

[SonjaMorrison-ij]

Russel and guest, who are both biologically intact, are taking a free speech leap of faith with this theory.