Experience of Living and Coping with Spinal Cord Disability due to Road Traffic Injuries: A Phenomenological Study Running title: Living and Coping with Spinal Cord Disability

Background: Globally, people living with spinal cord disability experience more limitations in an individual and social life. In many cases, this leads to complex psychological and social problems that may also affect the adaptation to the conditions. The aim of the study was to explore the experience of living and coping with disability in people with spinal cord disability due to road traffic accidents in Iran's cultural context. Methods: : This is a qualitative study with a phenomenological approach on ten Iranian people with spinal cord disability due to road traffic injuries. Data collection and analysis were performed from September to March 2019. Data were collected by individual, face-to-face in-depth interviews, and the experience of living with disability and adaptation strategies were explored. Van Manen’s methodical activities were used to guide the study's process. Results: : ‘victim of destiny’ was the main theme extracted from three themes and nine sub-themes. The disabled people viewed life as a prison that destiny had ordained for them and trapped them in the fences of isolation, anger, regret, anxiety, sorrow, pity, and futility such that they require assistance from others as dependent individuals. Religious recourse, satisfaction with God's expediency, and change of life values were the participants' coping strategies to adjust to their difficulties. Conclusions: : The study clarified the permanent constraints, needs, barriers and adaptation strategies of disabled people.