Educational Possibilities of Social Network for Persons with Spinal Injuries

Abstract

The number of people with spinal injuries that caused disability is increasing each year. More often those injuries are caused by car accidents, after having a fall from height or dipping into the water. There are experienced radical changes in life that people face after spinal injuries. The disability is often accompanied by depressive moods that influence rehabilitation process and decisions about the future. Therefore the article analyzes how social network can help to shape a projection to the future after the spinal injuries. The possibilities of social network for people suffering from spinal injuries were barely analyzed in Lithuania, though studies of the foreign authors show that social network is eminently important recreating person’s possibilities in all spheres of life – from employment [1] to inclussion [2]. Social network also impacts the quality of further life [3]. Aim of the research was to analyze educational possibilities of social network after spinal injuries. Qualitative research is presented in the article. Twenty fives respondents from various regions of Lithuania participated in the research. The majority of research participants had spinal injuries (Th1–Th10) after the car accidents. In depth interview was used for gathering research material, then content analysis was applied. The research results were similar to those in the studies published by the foreign authors [1, 2, 4]. Social network is undoubtedly one of the most important for people after spinal injuries. The research results revealed that educational possibilities after spinal injuries of social network were realized via three main domains support after spinal injury, possibilities to choose as competence strengthening, control as a mean of empowerment and activation. The respondents of the research stated that support gained from the social network was the very first and the most important factor which impacted educational possibilities for the future. Social network also played an important role in having a possibility to choose. The research showed that very often people after the spinal injuries pursued not to change other factors of their life and tried to remain independent as much as possible. Technical aid as driving a car, learning new profession and others were mentioned as very important educational aspects gained with the help of social network. The research revealed that spinal injuries caused changes in the inner features of a person, they felt the need to help others in similar situations,, seek control of their life via occupation, aspired to study and work alternatively. In such a way people had a feeling of life control that worked as empowerment.

Keywords: spinal injury, disability, social network.