How Equipment For Paraplegics Can Improve The Quality Of Life

By Edward Cole


Quadriplegia and paraplegia are both the result of serious injuries to the spinal cord. In the case of the former, both the lower and upper body is paralysed but in the case of the latter, patients still have the use of the arms and entire upper bodies. It is a tremendous shock to learn that one will not walk again. However, with innovative equipment for paraplegics they quickly find that they can still enjoy life to the full.

Any paraplegic will agree that the most important thing for him is to be able to move around. Thankfully, there is now a very wide range of devices designed to help such patients to be fully mobile. There are wheelchairs that are electrically driven, chairs for use during personal toilet and chairs for standing up in. To improve access to almost any place, an astonishing variety of ramps are available too.

Because a paraplegic still have the use of his upper body, he can also become fully mobile with a specially adapted auto that needs only the use of the hands in order to operate. These vehicles can also be fitted with special hoists and racks to load and transport the wheelchair. Unfortunately, these conversions are incredibly expensive but the ability to travel truly frees paraplegia patients.

There are also numerous devices specially designed to allow any paraplegic to live fully independent. Lights, televisions, stereo systems and, in fact, almost every other household appliance, can be controlled remotely. There are plenty of aids to help in the bathroom. Special winches can help the patient to hoist himself into and out of the bath or from the wheelchair into bed, for example.

All paraplegia patients are strongly advised to make sure that they do not allow the unused muscles of their lower bodies to deteriorate. The upper body also need to be strengthened because it has to perform all the work. This this end a large selection of devices designed to help paralysed patients to exercise is available. Patients that cannot afford these devices should consider finding a gym that offers these services.

Paraplegia patients do not have control over the functions of the lower body. This means that simple matters such as urinating can become a problem. Luckily there are many products such as catheters and other personal devices that can help to avoid embarrassment and to give the paraplegic some measure of control over his own toilet routine. Most medical insurance companies will cover the cost of these products.

It is a sad fact that many of the products and devices that can make life so much easier for a paraplegic so is expensive. Medical insurance will only cover the cost of the most basic items. It may be a good idea to look for second hand products and devices and if there is no other way out, it may even be possible to obtain help from charities that try to help paralysed people to live better lives.

Most paraplegia patients require a lot of time to come to grips with the fact that they will have to live within certain limits. There can be no doubt, however, that the many devices and products on the market today can go a long way in improving the quality of life of a paraplegic. One can just hope that they will become more affordable in the future.




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