Paralysis can result from a number of traumas and medical conditions, including but not limited to spinal cord injuries, strokes, and Bell’s palsy. The clearest indicator of paralysis in a patient is the inability of the patient to move their body. Depending upon the type, location, and nature of the paralysis the patient may suffer significant impairment to their extremities, torsos, and internal systems. This post is offered to provide Oklahoma residents with some information on how deeply paralysis can affect individuals and how this condition can form the basis of a disability benefits claim. It should not, however, be read as legal or medical advice.
Most people think of paralysis as the inability of a person to move their arms or legs, but paralysis can inflict even deeper problems upon its victims. For example, a victim who suffers an injury high on their spinal cord in their neck may be paralyzed from the neck down and therefore lose the ability to control their digestive systems. This can lead to the loss of bladder and bowel control.
Additionally, losing sensation does not only mean that a paralysis victim will be unable to move, but it might also mean that they will be unable to feel stimuli on their bodies. A paralysis victim may not feel extreme heat or cold on their skin and therefore might suffer secondary injuries due to their inabilities to recognize such stimuli.
Paralysis can impact a victim’s breathing, movement, and many other necessary bodily functions. The inability of a victim to move or live without support fits with the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability. Therefore, those who suffer from this medical condition may be able to utilize it to successfully seek disability benefits.