There are nearly 1 in 50 people living with paralysis in the United States, – approximately 6 million people. Almost 1.3 million of those are spinal cord injured. The cause of spinal cord injuries is usually some form of trauma, a sudden blow or impact to the spine that fractures or dislocates the vertebrae.
Injuries to the spinal cord which consists of a bundle of nerves that runs from the base of the brain and down the back, can result in a loss of sensation and movement including paralysis of all four limbs (quadriplegia), and paralysis of the lower half of the body (paraplegia),
Other health problems can include bladder and bowel complications, inability to regulate blood pressure, reduced control of body temperature, chronic pain and increased susceptibility to respiratory disease. The victims also tend to have shorter lifespans.