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Physical Illness and Injury
A physical illness can be very difficult to deal with. Sometimes that illness or injury is short-lived; the person is ill or injured for a while, but then gets better. In other cases, loved ones might have an illness or injury that they will be dealing with for the rest of their lives. And in some circumstances, loved ones die from illnesses or injuries. It is important to understand (1) what kind of illness your loved one is suffering from, and (2) where you can get help to cope with it. We've included some information about two common phyical health problems: cancer and spinal cord injuries.
My Parent Has Cancer
You may have found out that one of your parents has cancer. Many people aren't quite sure what "cancer" means, even though they have heard of the word. This video explains cancer in very simple terms.
My Loved One Has a Spinal Cord Injury
Some people experience a spinal cord injury, often through a car accident or fall. What is a spinal cord injury? This video will help you to understand it.
If your loved one has a physical illness or injury, you can find more information about the illness or injury from these resources:
For general information about a lot of different illnesses. This source contains medical information from doctors and other health experts
This source provides information about health; the information is provided by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
It is always important to look at where information on the internet comes from. Only use sources that you can trust, like those from hospitals or colleges/universities. Never send money. If you aren't sure that the information you are reading comes from a reliable source, ask a parent or teacher to look at the source and help you. Of course, no one should use information on the internet to diagnose a health problem. Talk with your doctor about what you've learned, and ask your doctor to provide more information. Having information about your loved one's illness will help you to feel more in control, and manage your stress. Always share what you are learning with an adult you can trust. That way, you'll be able to ask any questions that come from what you've read.