Finding Light in the Dark: Humor, Faith, and Life After Spinal Cord Injury
Hello my people,
Why Humor Matters After a Spinal Cord Injury
Dark humor has always been one of the ways I cope. When you have lived through a spinal cord injury, sometimes you laugh so you do not cry.
Yes, I lost my ability to walk back in 2008. But I also gained perspective, resilience, and let’s be real, front row parking.
Humor may not change the reality of paralysis, but it does soften the edges of hard days. For me, laughing at life’s ironies is part of surviving and thriving.
Coping Looks Different for Everyone
Coping after a spinal cord injury is deeply personal. For me it looks like faith, family, community, and a little sarcasm sprinkled in. That balance is what keeps me rolling forward.
Some people lean on therapy or journaling. Others find strength in fitness or art. There is no single right way to cope. What matters most is finding what gives you peace, stability, and joy.
The Truth About My Parking Placard
Text on my video says, “When all the parking spots are taken but you have VIP access.” In the clip, I pull out my parking placard. It is funny because it is true.
But here is a real confession: for years after my car accident I refused to get a disabled plate number. I believed that having one would mean I did not have enough “faith.” I thought that somehow accepting my reality meant I was giving up on hope for healing.
It took time, reflection, and growth to understand that faith and practicality can exist together. Faith does not mean ignoring your needs. Sometimes faith looks like using the tools available to you so you can keep living fully.
Should We Talk About Faith and Religion?
Faith is a huge part of my story. It has carried me through dark nights and long recoveries. But faith also comes with questions, especially in the disability community.
Should I share more about that in tomorrow’s post? If you want me to open up about faith, religion, and disability, let me know in the comments or send me a message.
Why Awareness and Representation Still Matter
September is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, and I am sharing one video every day. Not just for laughs, but to spread awareness, replace myths with truth, and remind people that life after spinal cord injury is still full of joy.
Representation matters because when you see someone living, parenting, and laughing after an injury, you realize that possibility is still yours too.
Join the Conversation
Coping is not one size fits all. For me it is prayer, family, community, and humor that keeps me grounded. For you, it might look different.
I would love to hear how you cope when life gets heavy. Comment below, share this post with someone who needs encouragement, and send me your questions for this awareness series.
Key Takeaways
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Humor can be a powerful coping tool after a spinal cord injury
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Coping looks different for everyone, and that is okay
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Faith and practicality can work hand in hand
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Awareness and representation are essential during Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month
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Living fully means embracing resilience, support, and yes, a little sarcasm
#SpinalCordInjuryAwarenessMonth #SCICommunity #DisabilityVisibility #DarkHumorHeals #1ReelPerDaySeptember
