Archive for Beyond Wheels
Returning to school with the spinal cord injuryReturning to School after a Spinal Cord Injury:
Michael Rhode interview with Charles Fleisher The Opportunities Guy
Going or returning to school after a spinal cord injury can be challenging but also rewarding. After my injury in 1988 I was reluctant and intimidated by the daunting challenges of mobility, taking notes, and learning to socialize again on a college campus. Michael Rhode’s experience bears similarities to mine. In the following interview, Rhode discusses some of the challenges and benefits of his recent experience returning to the Brookdale College campus in 2013.
Interviewer (Charles Fleisher): Tell me about your activities, interests and occupation before your injury?
Rhode: I was extremely active, as a personal trainer, as well as being a fitness consultant. I loved outdoor activities, skiing, road biking, surfing, running on the beach, and hiking. I was a member of the Hunter Mtn Ski Patrol.
Fleisher: Please explain how your accident happen and how old were you?
Rhode : I was injured in a skiing accident when I was 45yrs old, while working as a Ski Patroller. My binding prematurely released, resulting in a high speed crash, which left me paralyzed from the chest down.
Fleisher: Had you gone to college or any other trades schools prior to your injury?
Rhode: I was in nursing school when the accident happened.
Fleisher: How long did it take to go back to school and where did you start?
Rhode: My accident happened in Dec of 2010, and I returned to school in Jan of 2012. I started back up at Brookdale Community College taking online courses and in the 2013 Fall Semester I started to attend classes at the Lincroft and Neptune campuses.
Fleisher: What has your college experience been like post injury?
Rhode: It’s been a great motivator, one that has kept me busy throughout my recovery. Returning to attending classes in Sept of 2013 was something that really got me back into the social atmosphere.
Fleisher: Are you glad you went back?
Rhode: Absolutely, I would have gone stir crazy without having my schoolwork to keep me busy. Although I had to change my major from Nursing to Social Work, the experience is giving me a great feeling of accomplishment.Fleisher: What are your goals for your education?
Rhode : My goal is to get my Associates Degree from Brookdale and then transfer to Rutgers to obtain my Bachelors in Social Work.
Fleisher: What would you say the biggest difference is now and are you satisfied with your progress?
Rhode : The biggest difference is the fact that I need assistance with many things, and this is something I’m still adjusting too. I was use to being the one helping people, and while I still can in some aspects, the roles have drastically changed.
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