Parents with a spinal cord injury.

STUDY

DESIGN

This is a cross-sectional questionnaire.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to describe the impact of parenting young children with a spinal cord injury (SCI) on various life situations (for example, personal, vocational and social).

SETTING

Community; Denmark.

METHODS

A postal survey was designed to collect data in persons with SCI regarding the following: (1) socio-demographics, injury characteristics and parental status; (2) employment status; (3) environmental adjustments to support parenting roles; (4) childcare institution use and experiences; (5) network support for parenting; and (6) parenting advice for others.

RESULTS

A total of 62 persons (58% men) responded to the survey, with 56% having paraplegia and 44% having tetraplegia. The majority of men (83%) and women (62%) were employed during the first 10 years of their child's lives. Half of the sample (50%) did not find the accessibility of their childcare institutions optimal to accommodate their SCI. Only 22% felt that they got answers about being a parent with an SCI. The main advice provided by the sample to those considering of becoming a parent was encouragement, whereas the advice for municipalities was to provide more funding support for personal assistance and aids.

CONCLUSION

The present study provides insights into the challenges and satisfaction of being a parent post SCI across various life domains. Overall, the sample was very satisfied with their parenting role. The major issue noted for parents with SCI was the lack of support from local municipalities.