YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Coping With A Spinal Cord Injury
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keyboard_arrow_downExplore over 2,000 videos from our
SCROLL DOWN
keyboard_arrow_downYOU ARE NOT ALONE
Coping With A Spinal Cord Injury
Explore over 2,000 videos from our
unique video library of family experiences
FacingDisability.com was specifically created to connect
families who suddenly have to deal with a spinal cord injury
to people like them who have already been there.
Tough Questions, Honest Answers — Our video library has 2,000 high-quality HD videos of people who are living with spinal cord injury. They give honest answers to straightforward questions about how they cope. Their personal experiences are powerful evidence that successful, fulfilling lives are still possible. Click on faces in the grid below to meet the voices of experience.
SCI Medical Experts — Video interviews give you easy- to -understand answers to the most important questions.
Scroll down to “What the Experts Say” for medical straight talk.
Healthcare Info — Resources section is a gateway to the best information on the web. Scroll down to see Resources.
REAL PEOPLE,
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WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY |
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ANIMATED SCI LEVELS CHARTMouse over the spinal column to see how the level of injury affects loss of function and control |
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Cervical InjuriesCervical injuries above the C-4 level may require a ventilator for the person to breathe. C-5 injuries often result in shoulder and biceps control, but no control at the wrist or hand. C-6 injuries generally yield wrist control, but no hand function. Individuals with C-7, C-8 and T-1 injuries can straighten their arms, but still may have problems with their hands. |
ANIMATED SCI LEVELS CHART
Mouse over the spinal column to see how the level of injury affects loss of function and control
Cervical Injuries
Cervical injuries above the C-4 level may require a ventilator for the person to breathe. C-5 injuries often result in shoulder and biceps control, but no control at the wrist or hand. C-6 injuries generally yield wrist control, but no hand function. Individuals with C-7, C-8 and T-1 injuries can straighten their arms, but still may have problems with their hands.
Thoracic Injuries
The first thoracic vertebra, T-1, is located approximately at the same level as the top rib. Injuries to nerves in this region usually affect the chest and the legs, and result in paraplegia. For injuries from T-1 to T-8, there is usually control of the hands but lack of abdominal muscle control. (Individuals with injuries from T-1 to T-6 are also at risk for Autonomic Dysreflexia)
Lumbar Injuries
Injuries to nerves in the area of L-1 to L-5 generally result in some loss of functioning of the hips and legs. Bowel, bladder and sexual function may also be impacted.
Sacral Injuries
The sacrum runs from the pelvis to the end of the spinal column. Injuries to nerves in this area generally result in some loss of functioning of the hips, legs, ankles, and feet. Loss of control of bowel and bladder and sexual functions is also common.
Facing Disability Blog
When I Write About My Life…
By Ben Mattlin
Ben Mattlin, our special contributor, is a veteran writer-editor of articles on finance, market analysis, tax planning and investments for major national publications. But when it came to writing about his own disability, he faced some different challenges. (Ben, 55, was born with spinal muscular atrophy, a congenital muscle weakness that can cause paralysis, respiratory and other health issues.) Here he reveals why writing about himself was a whole different story.
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I got my first book published through an old high school friend who works in publishing. At first, I hated the very idea of writing "I did this," and "I felt that," or "such-and-such happened to me." There had to be some justification, a reason why anyone should want to know how I survived spinal muscular atrophy and learned to live with it (not that I had much choice about it). ...
READ MORE
Facing Disability BlogWhen I Write About My Life…By Ben Mattlin Ben Mattlin, our special contributor, is a veteran writer-editor of articles on finance, market analysis, tax planning and investments for major national publications. But when it came to writing about his own disability, he faced some different challenges. (Ben, 55, was born with spinal muscular atrophy, a congenital muscle weakness that can cause paralysis, respiratory and other health issues.) Here he reveals why writing about himself was a whole different story. ________________________________________________________________________________________ I got my first book published through an old high school friend who works in publishing. At first, I hated the very idea of writing "I did this," and "I felt that," or "such-and-such happened to me." There had to be some justification, a reason why anyone should want to know how I survived spinal muscular atrophy and learned to live with it (not that I had much choice about it). Read More |
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