Wellness is often portrayed as something purely physical—eating right, staying active, getting good sleep. The reality is much more complex. After my spinal cord injury, I learned that wellness is multidimensional. The National Wellness Institute (Hettler, 1976) outlines six dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, and occupational. Each of these areas is affected by trauma in different ways, but each one also offers space for healing, growth, and adaptation. Here is how I have experienced these dimensions in my own life.
1. Physical Wellness
Following my injury, I had to completely redefine what physical wellness meant for me. It meant addressing gender norms that had been ingrained in me, specifically how masculinity and physicality applied to my existence. It was no longer about lifting weights or going for runs. Although exercise is obviously still important, physical wellness had shifted to personal survival and preservation. It instead involves maintaining range of motion, managing chronic pain, preventing pressure sores, and staying on top of my medical needs. I rely heavily on the support of my therapists and caregiver (shout out to my wife), who helps me stay consistent with routines that promote health and comfort. With physical therapy and adaptive equipment, I have learned how to live within the body I have now.
2. Emotional Wellness
The emotional aftermath of a traumatic injury is intense. I went through a grieving process that included sadness, anger, and strong denial. I grappled with forgiveness until it left me no choice but to move on. Depression and anxiety became new and intense challenges. When push came to shove, I fell on my faith and my family. What helped me most was connecting with others who had been through similar experiences. I eventually began joining (now leading) a support group for people with disabilities, where emotional healing takes place through shared stories and mutual encouragement. Emotional wellness means acknowledging your pain, finding strength through connection, and allowing yourself to feel and express emotions openly (Post & van Leeuwen, 2012).
3. Intellectual Wellness
After my injury, I was lost. Most of what I had learned in my life involved military knowledge, and mechanical knowledge about my truck and motorcycle. How the hell was I supposed to apply these skill sets to my now disabled body? It took years of trying different things and challenging myself, but I chose to pursue college. At first, I questioned whether I could handle the workload and demands, especially while managing fatigue and random secondary conditions. But engaging in learning, especially in the fields of psychology and design, has kept me mentally active and inspired. My lived experience gives depth and insight to my studies and my resilience from both the military and disability keep me motivated to crush college. I live by the idea (likely ingrained in me from Ranger Regiment) that if you are going to start something, then you absolutely crush it– no “half-assing”– otherwise, what’s the point? Thanks to adaptive technology and a stringent schedule, I have stayed on track. Intellectual wellness, for me, means staying curious and continuing to grow, even when circumstances change dramatically.
4. Social Wellness
My injury changed the dynamics of many friendships. Some people drifted away, uncertain of how to stay connected. This is a common gripe for those who face disability. However, this aspect of wellness is where I am arguably most fortunate. My close group of friends make it impossible to drift apart. Physical limitations have never been a problem because my friends make sure that I am always able to be involved. Many times it literally means picking me up and bringing me into a lake house or a new home or modifying plans to make sure that they are accessible. I love my friends deeply, and I am forever grateful for the efforts they put into our relationships. At the same time, I developed friendships within disability communities and veteran communities. These are the spaces where I feel seen and understood. Joining a peer support group has helped me foster those connections, offer support, and advocate for inclusion. Social wellness is about finding your people and being part of a community that uplifts and understands you (Chan et al., 2009).
5. Spiritual Wellness
A life-altering injury naturally brings up questions about purpose and meaning. I had to wrestle with a lot of spiritual doubts, wondering why this happened and what direction my life was now supposed to take. “I had been a God-fearing man my whole life and this is where it got me?” Over time, I began to find peace and purpose in new ways— through mindfulness, through art, through supporting others, through quiet reflection, and through my connection to something larger than myself. Now, the first thing I do each morning is pick a random Bible verse and find a way to connect it to my life. Next, I look at the names engraved on the KIA bracelet that I wear on my paralyzed wrist, and remember that my friends would give anything to be alive– even if that meant living life in a wheelchair. Then I recite the Ranger Creed in my head to remember my values and the decision that I made to serve something bigger than myself. Then I put on my stylus and either start typing or start drawing.
For some, spiritual wellness might be religion. For others, it could be nature, music, or service. Spiritual wellness means seeking meaning in your life and embracing a sense of purpose, even when life takes an unexpected turn (Gall et al., 2011).
6. Occupational Wellness
Before my injury, I had different dreams and expectations for my career, all of which included working with my hands in a healthy body. I had to reevaluate what a meaningful vocation could look like. I now blend my skills in graphic design, psychology, and peer mentorship into work that serves the disability community. I am pursuing a degree that supports this vision. Occupational wellness is not just about making a paycheck. It is about doing work, paid or unpaid, that brings a sense of fulfillment and contributes to something greater than yourself (Roessler & Rumrill, 2015).
Conclusion
A traumatic injury changes your life in profound ways, and each dimension of wellness is affected. When one of these dimensions is lacking, you feel it. But it is still very possible to build a life that is meaningful, connected, and healthy in every sense of the word. Wellness may look different now, but it is still well within reach. I am still learning wellness each day, and it takes very intentional practice to maintain homeostasis. Each day offers a new opportunity to grow, connect, and live fully within your new reality.
References
Chan, R. C. H., Lee, P. W. H., Lieh-Mak, F., & Cheung, C. M. (2009). The pattern of coping and its relationship to depressive symptoms among Chinese patients with spinal cord injury. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 14(1), 107–120. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548500802241926
Gall, T. L., Henneberry, J., & Eyre, M. D. (2011). Two sides of spirituality after a spinal cord injury: Evidence for a constructive and destructive path. Rehabilitation Psychology, 56(2), 123–131. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0023087
Hammell, K. W. (2008). Experience of rehabilitation following spinal cord injury: A meta-synthesis of qualitative findings. Spinal Cord, 46(10), 741–755. https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.2008.91
Hettler, B. (1976). The six dimensions of wellness. National Wellness Institute. Retrieved from https://nationalwellness.org/resources/six-dimensions-of-wellness/
National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center. (2023). Facts and figures at a glance. University of Alabama at Birmingham. https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/Public/Facts%20and%20Figures%202023.pdf
Post, M. W. M., & van Leeuwen, C. M. C. (2012). Psychosocial issues in spinal cord injury: A review. Spinal Cord, 50(5), 382–389. https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.2011.182
Roessler, R. T., & Rumrill, P. D. (2015). Introduction to the rehabilitation profession. Pro-Ed.
I can’t thank you enough for reading this blog posts! This may sound silly, but I have noticed that a few people have subscribed to receive notifications when I post these blog posts. I’ve never had subscribers before and the fact that people want to be notified in real time honestly brought a tear to my eye. If you are at all interested in email notifications sent from my site when I post here, subscribe below. Big love!