Living with a spinal cord injury that has caused paralysis can appear to be a significant obstacle to getting out and about. Still, even with quadriplegia affecting both your arms and legs, there are so many enjoyable pastimes that you can take up!
Quadriplegia means that the arms and legs no longer move as freely and efficiently as they used to. Just as no two people are the same, so too is the degree of quadriplegia different in each person, depending on the type of spinal injury experienced.
Now, let’s forget about the details; let’s look at the bright side of things. We are here to discuss various fun things that those with quadriplegia can do.
What Is Quadriplegia
Quadriplegia, on the other hand, pertains to paralysis in both the arms and legs. It is a spinal cord injury that can result from factors such as an accident, disease, and medical condition.
Those with quadriplegia have different severities of impaired mobility, depending on the level of injury to the spinal cord. It ranges from just little or no movement in the hands to absolute complete paralysis from the neck down.
This proves the fact that the condition of a person being quadriplegic does not determine the individual, and with the condition, there is still a lot of way through which one can continue living a life full of fun and enriching affairs.
Causes of Quadriplegia
Quadriplegia generally occurs due to spinal cord injuries; it may result from events either traumatic in an individual’s life, from an auto accident or sports injury, or falling, and it may also be from medical conditions, for example, strokes, tumors, or diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
There can also be cases of quadriplegia due to congenital disorders or birth defects. Here are listed some of the common causes of quadriplegia:
Spinal Cord Injuries
Here are some of the more common ways people become quadriplegic. For example, see this long, bumpy cord we are looking at here. That is your spinal cord.
Unfortunately, life does take a bad turn sometimes. A bad fall, a serious auto accident, or a mishap while diving can inflict physical damage on this important messaging system and its protective surroundings.
During those times, it can change the way our muscles work. It’s like throwing a roadblock into the messages that must pass through on our superhighway. Of course, that’s just an easy way to explain the type of thing that can cause quadriplegia, and it can happen to anyone. Remember, knowledge is power, and awareness can make all the difference.
Cerebral Palsy
Each time an infant baby develops quadriplegia, there is a specific problem. In essence, this problem results from some injury to the baby’s brain. This injury may occur while the little one is inside the mother’s womb, or it may occur during the labor process.
The result is that the baby’s arms and legs are often either quite weak or excessively rigid. We use words like “flaccid” or “spastic” to describe it. This may sound pretty complicated, but it just describes the fact that the baby’s limbs do not move properly.
This could dramatically impact their ability to reach standard motor-related milestones growing up. You know, like lifting their head by themselves, rolling over, crawling, etc. Normally, the life detection of this problem in a child is quite early.
Stroke
Imagine, for example, you are a delivery driver, but rather than parcels, you are delivering oxygen to arguably the most important delivery point: the human brain. Now, what if one day, your delivery route was blocked? That much-needed oxygen would not get to its destination. This is, basically, what a person comes to know when one gets a condition that is most commonly known as a ‘stroke.’
A stroke is a bit like an unwelcome traffic jam on the highway of our blood supply—actually on the blood vessel leading to our brain or spinal cord. This jam stops the oxygen flow to the life-giving tissues of these parts. And like a plant without water, these tissues begin to wither and die due to a lack of oxygen.
As a result, when a stroke occurs in the brain, it is as if the power is cut off in part of a house. The part of the body that is controlled by the affected part of the brain has its power cut, hence weakness. If the stroke happens in the spinal cord, particularly in the neck region, it is as if the main power supply to both arms and legs were cut off, thus resulting in paralysis.
That’s a stroke in the most layman’s terms. Understanding this from a teenager to someone in their golden years can help avoid it or recognize the signs when it happens to someone close.
Pleasant Activities for a Quadriplegic
Now that we have discussed the etiology and classification of quadriplegia, we can move on to some fun activities that people with quadriplegia can do. Life may not be easy for them, but there are still a number of pleasurable activities that can brighten their lives and help them enjoy life to the fullest. A few of them include:
Go to Your Local Farmer’s Market
It’s like walking down to the local farmer’s market rather than heading out to your regular supermarket. It’s a different kind of atmosphere: one that’s more personal and open. You’re not enclosed by miles and miles of the same old stuff.
Instead, you are stepping into a wonderland of fresh produce and unique items that you will not find elsewhere. Crisp greens, bright fruits, and exotic veggies meet the eye at every turn. You will also meet the people who are growing these delightful goodies, and the passion is infectious.
It’s a new playground for you. Maybe you pick up that weird-looking vegetable you’ve never seen before. Or perhaps you would love to taste that homemade jam. The list of possibilities is endless.
The farmer’s market is not only food; it is the place where an adventure might occur. A really great opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and try something you have never even heard of.
Go to the Museum, Aquarium, or Zoo
Who’s to say that you can’t have some fun and learn in the process? Going to the zoo, an aquarium, or a museum can be a very cool experience for quadriplegics. Many of these facilities are wheelchair accessible and have special facilities that allow everyone to enjoy their visit.
Here, you can learn about different cultures, past events, or something scientific. In the aquarium or zoo, you can decide about various animals at close range, which creates a very special kind of learning. Also, there are often interactive exhibitions in these places that make the visit even more engaging.
Nature Walk or Picnic
Studies have shown that nature is related to physical and psychological health. The grass and trees in a park can be relaxing and enjoyable for a quadriplegic patient. In most areas, parks and walkways are constructed to be as accommodating as possible to wheelchairs.
One can also arrange a picnic in the park with some close friends or family. Prepare a collection of tasty snacks and find a place to bask in the fresh air and sunshine. This is going to be a great way to spend time with your loved ones in the great outdoors.
Adaptive Sports and Recreation
Just because someone has quadriplegia doesn’t mean that they can’t be part of any sports or physical activities. So many adaptive sports and recreational programs are developed specifically for people with disabilities.
These opportunities range from wheelchair basketball to adaptive skiing. They will provide the applicant with an outlet to stay strong, build endurance, and, most importantly, have a good time with other people with similar interests.
Photography or Art
Creativity knows no bounds, and even for people with quadriplegia, expressing oneself through any of the many forms of art is possible. Photography is a wonderful idea because little effort is needed, yet many ideas can be expressed. You can capture interesting scenes and moments at the push of a button.
This could also be in painting, drawing, or sculpture. An adaptive technique and tools could still help make these art pieces fully realized and beautiful.
Collect SomethingÂ
Whether it is coins, stamps, comic books, or antiques, collecting is a fun and rewarding hobby that a quadriplegic person can do.
Hobbies like reading, writing, or puzzles can also provide engaging pastimes. These can provide a chance for cognitive enjoyment and relaxation through engagement in something of interest. They can be done from home, so they are feasible for a person with quadriplegia.
Conclusion
While quadriplegia seems to be hard, there are plenty of things and hobbies that can be done with this type of body. So, let’s continue to promote inclusion and accessibility, allowing those with quadriplegia to lead fulfilling and enjoyable lives. Remember, a disability does not define a person; their abilities and passions truly matter.
