Other family members will also be adjusting to change. If they knew you before your accident they will be dealing with the fact that the person they hung out with is now slightly different. They and you will need to deal with that together.

Hanging out with these people who know you might be the best way to get back into having social contact.

On the reverse, some siblings and extended family members can have difficulties dealing with the fact that you now have a disability.

They also need to get used to the changes that have occurred in your life. Because of these changes, you might be a different person and you all need time to adjust.

You might not remember what you were like before your accident and your family and friends might be dealing with this. If this is you, maybe you could try talking to each other about how you can all cope with the change.

You might decide to get someone to help you to adjust. Groups you might contact are the Spinal Injuries Association (formerly the Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of Queensland Inc) which has a Peer Support program and the Acquired Brain Injury Outreach Service (ABIOS). These two organisations have people you can talk to and who can offer you guidance or direct you to the right places.

Often the introduction of new members of the family, in the form of new partners to sisters, brothers, cousins, nieces or nephews can be a breath of fresh air. This can be helpful because, through these newly introduced members, you can be seen as any other member of the family.