Family Involvement During Your SCI Recovery

Your family and friends are a significant part of your life. Their support and encouragement are important, and you'll be asked how much you would like their active participation in your SCI care and therapy.

At times, limits may be set in terms of the length or the timing of your family and friends' visits or of the observation of your SCI therapies. These limits are only imposed to make sure that you receive timely personal care, adequate rest, and one-to-one attention of the therapists.

With advance notice, families or friends are welcome to observe and participate in therapies, particularly so they can receive adequate information and training so they are able to take you out of the hospital on passes. These arrangements may be made through your social worker, who can also arrange family conferences with other members of the treatment team. The social worker can also assist your family and friends in dealing with their emotions and reactions to what has happened to you.