Paraplegia is the partial or complete paralysis of the lower portion of the body, including the legs and, in many cases, some or all of the trunk due to spinal cord damage.
There are both acute (sudden onset) and chronic (gradual onset) forms of paraplegia (ParaQuad 2005).
Symptoms and characteristics:
A person with paraplegia may report weakness of the muscles of the legs, loss of pain and temperature sensation below a particular level, loss of position sense (proprioception) and capacity to sense vibration. Further to this, there may be loss of bladder and bowel function depending on the level or nature of the paralysis.
Workplace solutions and adjustments:
In the workplace there are various factors that would assist people with paraplegia to independently manage their condition. These include changes to work tasks and the environment, such as:
- ensuring wheelchair accessibility to all areas of the workplace including kitchen and bathroom amenities, workspace and other doorways or emergency exits
- installation of ramps for independent building access
- automatic door openers to allow independent door access
- positioning of security pin pads for building access at a height that is accessible from a wheelchair
- set up of kitchen amenities at a height accessible from a wheelchair
- set up of office supplies, equipment and furniture which allows for independent access
- desk modifications to allow for wheelchair clearance and access to all items on the desk easily
- modifications to foot controls on work vehicles.
The Employment Assistance Fund provides financial assistance for work-related modifications, equipment and services to help people with disability to get employment and perform their work as independently and productively as possible. To determine eligibility, please refer to the full guidelines:
There are solutions and adjustments related to the requirements of the job:
Case studies and success stories
For job seekers:
References:
Better Health Channel 2007, Paraplegia (Spinal Cord Injury), State Government of Victoria, Victoria, viewed 7 February 2007, <http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au>.
MDA Internet 2005, Reed Group, Colorado, viewed 7 February 2007, http://www.mdainternet.com (secure site).
ParaQuad NSW 2005, Understanding Spinal Cord Injury, Fact Sheet 2, ParaQuad, Sydney, viewed 25 June 2009, http://www.paraquad.org.au/content/documents/fact_sheets/sci/2.%20Understanding%20spinal%20cord%20injury.pdf
Roper, A & Brown, R 2005, Adam’s and Victor’s Principles of Neurology, 8th edition, McGraw-Hill, Columbus, viewed 7 February 2007, http://www.accessmedicine.com.