This study is aimed at finding out people's perception about their spinal cord injury condition and investigating some of their characteristics. A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research was performed, in which 25 people with spinal cord injury of a rehabilitation center were interviewed. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews based on an outline. The organization, categorization and analysis were carried out according to a thematic analysis. Four categories emerged from the data and characteristics of the participants: different perceptions of their condition, different ways of coping with their condition; family, the essential support, and everybody has problems which need to be overcome. People with spinal cord injury face and perceive their condition in different ways, related to family support, self-governing ability, performing activities of daily living and setting new life goals. Knowing about these issues is important for health care implementation.
Spinal cord; Rehabilitation; Personal autonomy; Nursing