What is Paralysis?

Paralysis is when someone has a loss of feeling and control of movement of their body. There are multiple leading causes of paralysis, including SCI (spinal cord injury), cerebral palsy, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. In the U.S., More than 70,000 households are affected by paralysis, and approximately 1.7% of the population, or 1 in 50 people, live with some form of paralysis.

What is SCI (Spinal Cord Injury)?

SCI involves damage to any part of the spinal cord. It causes damage to nerve fibers to the area around the injury, which can cause a disruption of signals to areas of the body, resulting in paralysis. The most common causes of SCI are motor vehicle accidents, sports accidents, falls, victims of violence, and physical labor. When SCI results in paralysis affecting both the arms and legs, it is known as quadriplegia.

Impacts And Challenges

  • Prevalence Misconceptions: There are 302,000 people living in the US with quadriplegia, or more than 70,000 households across the country.

  • Employment and Income: A majority of Americans (69%), underestimate the prevalence of those living with paralysis in the U.S. About 15.5% of individuals living with paralysis are employed versus 63.1% who are not living with a disability. 41.8% of those living with paralysis are unable to work. Additionally, households with a paralyzed person often face financial challenges, with 28% of households earning less than $15,000 a year (Reeve, 2024).

  • Financial Assistance: Disabled individuals receive $4,768 per month of aid by the U.S. government. However, the cost of 24-hour severe cases of paralysis can reach $12,266 a month, leaving a gap of $7,498 that must be covered by the individual or their family. In California, paralyzed residents with low incomes receive around $4,245 per month (Reeve, 2024).

  • Living with Paralysis: There is currently no cure for paralysis, and living with paralysis can be challenging. It leads to dramatic changes in an individual’s life and activities, which can contribute to mental health issues and depression. Adults living with spinal cord injuries have nearly an 80% increased risk of developing psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety compared to those without (59.1% versus 30.9%). Additionally, people with paralysis may experience chronic pain, numbness, or a steady loss of feeling and muscle control (Fromson, 2022).

If you are interested in learning more information about living with paralysis, here is a link to the “Living with Paralysis & Caregiver National Survey, 2022”.

While this site does not accept donations, there are plenty of organizations that would greatly benefit from your support. One prominent organization you might consider is the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, which is dedicated to providing funds for research and support to those living with paralysis.

If you’re interested in contributing, you can learn more about their work and make a donation in the link below:

 Other Charities and Advocacy Programs: