A day in the life of a quadriplegic can be a lot of work but it can also be fun, as you find ways to live your life. Here’s what a typical day is like for me with my spinal cord injury.
Living as a Quadriplegic: How I Start My Day
My day begins when my personal care attendant arrives. I get out of bed and get cleaned up, then get my clothes on. As you might know, this can take a while. I like to play music and just go with it, have fun. After I get my clothes on and my catheter changed, it’s time to get into my Quantum Rehab Wheelchair. Some people can transfer from their bed to their chair, especially with the help of seat elevation. I can’t transfer independently so my caretaker can lift me from my bed into my power chair or use the Hoyer lift to move me. Once I am in my power chair, I might try to brush my own teeth if my arms are up for the task. After breakfast, I immediately start painting or go for a stroll in my power chair at the park.
Using iLevel on My Power Chair for Social Situations
If I choose to go out that morning to start my day, I will spend time meditating in the park for about an hour or so. Once I come back, it’s time to go to work and I’ll put in 4-5 hours of mouthpainting. Once my neck gets tired, it’s time to take a break and eat some lunch. I might take another look at my paintings afterward to see if things can be improved or if they’re good as is. After that, I have a few hours gap from when my next personal care attendant comes. So, I might socialize with friends, go out to eat and hang out. iLevel technology on my Quantum Rehab Wheelchair really comes in handy when I’m in social situations. I can look at my friends in the eye when elevated. Plus, seat elevation helps me raise above the crowd at the bar or in restaurants.
Winding Down for the Night
From there, it’s time to wind down. I start to get ready for bed with the help of my care attendant. They help me get undressed and either lift me from my power chair to put me into bed or they use the Hoyer lift. From there, I am positioned to sleep comfortably and well until the next day. Then, I get up and do it all over again!
About Jesse Cuellar: Jesse is an artist and a brand ambassador for Quantum Rehab®. An accident left him paralyzed from the neck down, so he uses his mouth to paint and expresses himself through his art. Jesse lives in St. Louis, Missouri, and enjoys painting and hanging out with his friends. Click here to learn more about Jesse.
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