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NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 18<br />
That’s a Tough Question…<br />
Mike Brown’s advice for newcomers to an SCI<br />
Mike's 10 tips:<br />
1. Try to listen to your internal voice, and acknowledge<br />
that voice, but also realise that that voice isn’t<br />
necessarily you. So you may have a voice inside your<br />
head that is telling you bad things about yourself.<br />
You have got control of that. My advice would be to<br />
spend as much time as you can working on your<br />
mindset, your internal voice.<br />
2. Accept that other areas of your life may have to go on<br />
hold until you get yourself sorted with the basic<br />
health and psychological needs.<br />
3. Let your emotions flow, whatever they may be. Be<br />
kind to the people around you because they are also<br />
impacted in a big way. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.<br />
4. Get out of your comfort zone. It could just be getting<br />
out of your house for the first time and going to the<br />
local store. Lean into those first experiences no<br />
matter how uncomfortable and how afraid you are.<br />
Do them as quickly as you can because you will learn<br />
a great deal and you will overcome that hurdle and<br />
you will grow in confidence every time you have one<br />
of those experiences. Life can be amazing. It is totally<br />
up to you.<br />
Not looking back. Mike Brown has gone through plenty of<br />
highs and lows and is always looking forward.<br />
On a quiet morning in a small, rural town in<br />
Queensland, Mike Brown’s life changed<br />
forever. The Wellingtonian, who was working<br />
in a bauxite refinery in Australia, was skating<br />
along the quiet streets where there were no<br />
cars around.<br />
“But on the last corner, I collided with an oncoming car.<br />
That was the start of my paraplegic career,” he says. Mike<br />
has shown incredible resilience throughout the highs and<br />
lows of his rehabilitation and recovery. He’s had an SCI for<br />
almost 10 years now and is in a good place to offer 10<br />
pieces of advice for others who have sustained an SCI and<br />
are at the start of their journey.<br />
5. You cannot blame external forces. Don’t play the<br />
victim. Accept what happened to you and move on.<br />
Let go of the blame and resentment you have for any<br />
reason. You have to forgive and let go of the past. Set<br />
yourself some goals and work your way to achieving<br />
them. No matter how small a task may seem,<br />
embrace it.<br />
6. Connect with people who are further down the track<br />
than you and ask them for help. Realise it is going to<br />
take a lot of energy and a lot of your time to learn<br />
about the new reality that you now face. Give yourself<br />
that time.<br />
7. If you are in a relationship make sure you use your<br />
time to communicate as effectively as you can.<br />
Non-violent communication is a great tool to have.<br />
Spend some time on learning about your own<br />
personal growth and mastering your mindset.<br />
8. Appreciate the small things. Be present. Enjoy every<br />
moment you have got. Enjoy the people around you.<br />
You only have one life so make the most of it.<br />
9. Find a life coach—someone who can shape your<br />
future and help you get through things.<br />
10. Mindset, mindset, mindset that is the key foundation<br />
for everything. Get out, there try new things. Be<br />
brave and be curious. Have fun.
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