Those who suffer paralysis are likely to experience significant impacts on their daily lives. Paraplegia sufferers often deal with effects such as: The inability to walk unassisted. This can result in the need to move to a home that features single-level living and to make modifications to the home to accommodate the use of a wheelchair, such as roll-in showers and lowered counters. The inability to drive without vehicle modifications such as hand controls for brakes and acceleration The inability to work at a job that requires standing or lifting The sufferer cannot participate in hobbies and previously enjoyed activities, such as hiking, bicycling, or dancing. Changes to relationships with family members and friends Family members often bear the brunt of caregiving tasks for the injured party and experience the loss of other essential parts of the relationship, such as the loss of companionship and consortium suffered by the injured party’s spouse. The need for regular medical treatment for the injury and its associated complications can limit the amount of traveling that the injured party can do and necessitate living close to the hospital. The impacts are even more significant for those who suffer from tetraplegia as they cannot use their arms or legs. These impacts can include: The inability to earn an income The inability to live independently as assistance is needed to perform any daily living task. Those suffering from tetraplegia often reside in long-term care facilities, which can be extremely expensive. A bed in a long-term care facility in Illinois will cost around $6,235 a month. Frequent hospitalizations to treat severe complications such as pneumonia and burns from contact with hot surfaces Frequent urinary tract infections resulting from complications affecting the bladder and bowel systems that can result in septicemia The need to be moved frequently and to have one’s clothing changed promptly after incontinence to prevent bed sores Regular physical therapy to prevent spasticity or flaccidity of the muscles