Quadriplegic Medical Requirements

Quadriplegics are persons that due to accident or disease lost full or partial use of all 4 limbs. All Quadriplegics require 24 hour 'care', most people cannot afford this and turn to institutions such as Ama Wheelies. Quadriplegics are paralyzed from the chest down and lost all control and function of both bladder and stomach. The stomach is controlled by tablets such as Senokot and Dulcolax suppositories whilst the bladder is controlled through a catheterization system being either the conventional catheter; and painful system through the genitals or suprapubic and event Urostomy as bladder draining systems with all the expensive leg bags and night drainage bags associated.

Sitting in the wheelchair all day has further drawbacks: firstly as the direct cause of pressure sores, however pain and discomfort of sitting in the same position all day result in uncontrollable spasms, where the body still want to move and walk however with the spinal cord broken these movements resemble an epileptic fit. To prevent this, tablets in the form of Lioresal, are prescribed however at the cost of R 35 per tablet x 3 a day, simple mathematics tell you the cost would be R 3,150 p/m, and escalating; mostly unaffordable and hence many quadriplegics turning to the age old remedy (and much less expensive) for bladder problems recorded in the Bible and that is to have a beer a day; there is a constant invitation to come and at least share a beer if you cannot help in any other way - for it helps the quadriplegics cope. "The hops in the beer relaxes the bladder, preventing spasm, assist in discharging the bladder and believe it or not - medically recommended."

A Quadriplegics body is weakened from not standing and movement to clear toxins and often develop bladder and chest infections requiring constant use of vitamins. Most medical items are not available from the government hospitals as it is forever 'out-of-stock' and must be purchased at deaer prices requiring any Quadriplegic to spend a large proportion of his meagre income obtaining medical supplies.

Wheelchairs and wheelchair repairs is yet another concern for although the Government issue free wheelchairs, it is tiny models and not suitable for the average large South African. Suitable wheelchairs are priced on average from R60 000 each.

Quadriplegics medical problems are further compounded in that it is futile to turn to medical aids for help in obtaining monthly medicines, for although medical aids helps should you be hospitalized, most including the largest Medical Aid exclude any form of plegic patient from obtaining chronic monthly medicine! A converning factor should you suddenly find yourself injured in an accident with a spinal injury.

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