Being paralyze is more than just not being able to walk. The spine is a superhighway for messages between the brain and the rest of the body. In order to explain my husband’s paralysis, I will do a mini lecture of how our body works.

According to Magill’s Medical Guide Spinal cord disorder, the spinal cord is an extension of the brain and conducts impulses from the brain to the individual muscles and from the skin and joints back to the brain. It is housed in the spine which is made up of linked, interlocking bones. There are seven neck bones called cervical vertebrae. (C1-7); Twelve mid back bones called Thoracic vertebrae (T1-12); Five low back bones called the lumber vertebrae (L1-5); Five fused part of the pelvis called the sacrum; Between each two vertebrae, there is a pair of nerves. Each of these nerves supplies a muscle, an area of skin, a joint; for example, the (S2-3-4, the bladder, bowel movement and sexual organs. The (C5-T1) supplies all the muscle, skin, joints in the arms and hands. The (L1-S5) supplies legs, feet and the organs of the bladder, bowel, and sexual function.

 According to Magill’s Medical Guide on spinal cord disorders, “It has been estimated that every year between 10,000 and 12,000 people in the United States are disabled by some degree of paralysis resulting from traumatic injury to the spinal cord.” A complete injury means that there is no sensation or voluntary movement below the level of injury; for example, Richard had a C6-7 injury of the spine. His C-6 was completely shattered, and his C7 broke in three places cutting the oxygen, and the spine fluid witch causes his paralysis. An incomplete injury means some feeling or voluntary movement persists below the injury; for instances, Richard is able to have upper body strength. He has no voluntary movement in his legs. Richard does not feel pain in his legs on the exterior, but may feel some discomfort in the interior of his body. When it comes to sexual performance for men with a spinal cord injury varies. Overall in most cases men with SCI (Spinal Cord Injury) are able to have intercourse but have problems with ejaculation; therefore, the individual may have to go through IVF treatment to achieve parenthood.

Just think for a minute and imagine if you were able to walk one day, and then in a moment your whole life changes. Having a disability plays a major part mentally. The individual has to deal with adjusting to the change in their life style; for example, my husband went into a depression from his disability, and he wanted to die. He was able to adapt to the physical ties, but not realizing the true meaning of being paralyze. He no longer felt like a man; a typical man; for instance, play football with the kids, or working on cars. He loved going camping and doing the manly duties like putting up the tent. Having to ask for help can be very difficult for a man and Richard had did not know he was more man in my eyes than any other.

In a book called Disabilities, Interviews many people with different types of disabilities; Ella Yazzie King gives a personal perspective of mobility impairment. She says “What others have deemed my disability, I choose to see as being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Whatever had happened has, and I’m not sorry for that. I truly believe my life has been very rich. My disability has opened many doors for me.” That is exactly where Richard is today. He may not be able to do what he used to do, but he feels his life is so much richer. Richard says “I am a Bless Man and I truly Love who I am today.”

Here is a link on more information on the topic

http://www.spinalcord.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=22405