What's the best time to make decisions that will improve your life? Now! If you're in rehab therapy with a spinal cord injury, start thinking about what you'll do when you get home. If you're already at home, consider what's missing in your life--and then fill those gaps. Here are four places to help you get started:

• Center for Independent Living (CIL) Chances are, your state has a CIL--and that center has information on making home life easier, from finding a personal assistant to figuring out transportation. If you don't know whether there's a CIL nearby, contact your local department of health and social services or division of vocational rehabilitation (DVR). They will know.
• Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) (http://www.pva.org) One way to regroup after any kind of injury, doctors say, is to return to what you enjoyed before. That includes things like sports, hobbies, and socializing. PVA can help. Contact them to learn about wheelchair sports, events, and more.
• National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) (http://www.spinalcord.org) No matter how much you prepare yourself, returning home after an SCI brings challenges. According to rehab therapists, one common--and unsolved--dilemma for people with an SCI is sexual relations. A love life is important to everyone. Many people with SCIs wonder about having kids, too. The NSCI offers fact sheets, newsletters, and information on these and other lifestyle topics.
• The Well Spouse Foundation (http://www.wellspouse.org) Someone with SCI isn't the only one who needs support. Spouses do, too. The Well Spouse Foundation sponsors local support groups for the partners of people who are disabled. Members receive a bi-monthly newsletter, Mainstay, and can take part in letter-writing groups as well.
• The National Self-Help Clearinghouse (http://www.selfhelpweb.org) This clearinghouse has information on self-help and support groups across the country. You can find out whether there's a support group in your area, or get information on self-help in general. .