A family that’s dealing with a new spinal cord injury almost always finds itself in a very lonely place.  Suddenly, their whole world has changed, and there is usually nobody they know who has dealt with a similar injury.  So there is no place to turn for the kind of help and understanding that can only come from shared life experiences.

     FacingDisability is a new website that is designed to connect people dealing with new injuries with the experience of others who have “been there” and “done that.”

     The website has more than 1,000 videos of real-life answers to the same set of 48 questions.  The answers come from people with spinal cord injuries, their parents, spouses, siblings, children and friends.  Questions include: “What was your greatest fear at first?” “Where did you get the best financial help and information?” “How has the injury affected your family relationships?” and “How do you see your future?”  Visit us to see the complete list of commonly asked questions. 

     Since it can be especially helpful to hear from other people who are similar to you, it is also possible to narrow your search to answers from parents, spouses, siblings, etc.  Among people with spinal cord injuries, you can search by gender, by level of injury (paraplegic or quadriplegic) and by the age at which the person was injured.

     “The Experts Say,” is a website section in which top medical experts focus on subjects that people especially want to know about in the early days after an injury. We’ve included more than 400 answers to important questions surrounding a new spinal cord injury.  Topics include: “Spinal Cord Injury 101” “Preventing Pressure Sores,” “Sex and Fertility after SCI”  and “Pediatric Rehabilitation.”

    FacingDisability also offers a unique free Peer Counseling program.  Participants communicate anonymously through a private conversation message system on the website. 

    The site also offers Forums where members can discuss issues and questions.  Visit FacingDisability to join a conversation in progress or start a new thread.

    The “Resources” section is a comprehensive collection of spinal cord injury resources. Every listing begins with a helpful suggestion about “Where to Start.”

    FacingDisability.com is funded by the 501(c)3 non-profit Hill Foundation of Chicago. We believe that connecting individuals suddenly dealing with spinal cord injuries with others, who have been there before, gives people the strength to face their new realities.

    To learn more, visit http://www.FacingDisability.com