A View from Here, Postdischarge: The Old Model versus a More Contemporary Model

This article serves as an example of how the model of releasing an individual with a spinal cord injury from the rehabilitation hospital without adequate education, case management, advocacy, or realistic discharge planning, even in model systems hospitals, is not always in the individual's best interest. In my case, a home-health nursing agency was chosen to oversee my care. As a newly discharged individual, my independence was stifled and my privacy was taken away. I was lonely, and I was in a fighting mode with my insurance carrier. Although I returned to work, the cost of my care was extremely high to my workers' compensation carrier. But because of case management and a more creative model of care, I have married, had a child, obtained excellent state-of-the-art equipment, and moved to a new home. I am also more cost effective for my insurance carrier. I have taken charge of my own life. This was not possible 14 years ago.