I have come to realize that many people, when put in adverse situations, do not respond the same. I was fortunate in some unusual ways. First I did not end up being able to qualify for any disability assistance, neither SSI nor SS Disability. I really was not interested in a monthly check, as I always intended to support myself, but the medical benefits would have been useful.
One of the other big things that was extremely helpful to me were the friends and family who helped me after I got out of the hospital. They did not treat me as handicapped and insisted that I go about my daily life as much as possible. I think this, along with my own desire, helped me to adjust to my life in a chair and devise my plan to continue on the path that I had chosen in life.