Once severed or badly crushed the spinal cord can not be repaired. The spinal cord controls almost every muscle in the body. Whatever the degree of paralysis - it is permanent. Spinal injury is a physical problem and no mental impairment results from it. Accommodation, employment, transport, personal assistance, access to buildings, poverty and isolation are just some of the problems facing the wheelchair disabled.
Paraplegia is paralysis below the chest or waist.
It involves the trunk and lower limbs, with Quadraplegia the upper limbs also are affected. The difference between Paraplegia and Quadraplegia is related to the degree of injury or disease and what position it occurs on the spinal cord. An injury to the neck results in Quadraplegia, while an injury to the chest or lower back can result in Paraplegia. The spinal cord contains bundles of nerve fibres which connect the brain with the skin, organs and parts of the body. In Paraplegia and Quadraplegia, the telephone cable or spinal cord is damaged so the message cannot be sent to areas below the damaged area, or back again.