Friday, 26 July 2019

There Is Lots Of Equipment For Paraplegics To Make Life Easier

By Edward Cole


People suffering from paraplegia are paralysed in their lower bodies, normally from the waist down. Other than quadriplegics, who are paralysed in both the upper and lower bodies, those with paraplegia can at least still use their upper limbs and they have normal feeling in their torsos. In the past, unfortunate patients suffering from paraplegia and quadriplegia were confined to bed or chair. Nowadays with such a wide variety of equipment for paraplegics, patients can live full productive lives.

For most paraplegia patients the loss of their mobility is the biggest shock. Luckily, there is absolutely no reason why patients need to be restricted to a bed or couch any longer. There are many different types of wheelchairs and other devices designed to provide mobility to paralysed people. Access to buildings and vehicles can also be made easier by using specially designed ramps. Some are even portable.

For many people, the ability to drive a vehicle is the ultimate mobile freedom. Paraplegia patients need not be denied this freedom. There are many companies that specialize in converting cars specially for paralysed clients. All the controls are operated with the hands. These vehicles can be even be equipped with hoists and racks that will enable to patient to take his wheelchair with him wherever he goes.

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 unfortunate that many of the special devices that can make life so much easier for paralysed people are prohibitively expensive. Many patients simply have to make do without them. There are charities, however, that make a great effort to help paralysed people to gain their independence and to obtain the equipment and products necessary to lead a productive life.

It is certainly a big challenge to adapt to the fact that one is paralysed. With the right aids, however, patients can live full lives and they need not look into the eyes of others for their every need. This cost money, however and one hopes that prices will come down.




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