Question
MY SISTER WAS SHOT ON AUGUST 7TH. BECAUSE THE WOUND WAS IN HER NECK IT DAMAGED HER C1 AND C2. SHE IS CLASSIFIED AS A QUAD AND THE PART I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS SHE MOVES HER LEGS AND RESPONDS TO PAIN. DO I NEED A SECOND OPINION? PLEASE HELP MY SISTER.

Answer
Hi Michelle,
Thanks so much for your question.

I am sorry to hear about your sister. Usually, when someone experiences an injury in the cervical area of the spine, even if there is no paralysis, they are classified as a quadriplegic.

If your sister suffered even the slightest impairment of her motor skills, like weakness, or of her sensory, like numbness, in her legs and arms, then she would be classified as a quadriplegic. Even if it was only temporary.

When I went through rehab, I knew this guy who had no impairment in his arms or hands. I thought he was a paraplegic but he said, even though he had full use of his arms and hands, he was classified as a quadriplegic because his injury occurred at C7.

Also, if you are not satisfied with the doctors diagnosis, you can always seek or request a 2nd opinion.

I hope this helps and if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask me anytime.

Thanks again,
John McKinzie