The speaker's program is supported by the Directorate of School Education. Printed material is available for distribution. The Spinal Cord is no thicker than your finger, and encased like the lead inside a pencil, the spinal cord runs down the centre of the spine from the brain to the lower back. It links your brain with you body so they can communicate with each other. When the spinal cord is injured the brain and body cannot communicate because broken fragments of the spine have damaged part or all of the cord.
Paraplegia is the loss of sensation and movement in legs and in part or all of the trunk.
Paraplegia usually results from an injury to the spinal cord below the neck. Quadriplegia is the loss of sensation and movement in all four limbs and the trunk. Quadriplegia usually results from a spinal cord injury to the neck. At the beach, swim between the flags. DON'T drink alcohol or take drugs and drive, or travel in a vehicle which is being driven by a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs.