: one affected with partial or complete paralysis of both the arms and legs especially as a result of spinal cord injury or disease in the region of the neck
Quadriplegia is the result of injury or illness, almost always affecting the spine. Though a paraplegic has lost the use only of his or her legs, quadriplegics are paralyzed in all four limbs. Today voice-activated wheelchairs help the quadriplegic get around, and houses can be equipped with similar systems to operate lights and appliances; monkeys have even been trained to assist quadriplegics with everyday tasks. The work of the quadriplegic actor Christopher Reeve has led to remarkable advances in developing new nerve connections, enabling some determined paraplegics and quadriplegics to walk again.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebBarbara Corley, of Circleville, Ohio, gets paid to provide care three days a week for her sister, who is spastic quadriplegic, through Ohio’s Medicaid waiver program. Clare Ansberry, WSJ, 5 Sep. 2022 In the earliest stage of parenthood, so many of the demands are physical — the baby needs to be fed, burped, cleaned, dressed, rocked — and Basile, a quadriplegic who has only limited movement in his arms, can’t feed, burp or rock the baby. Caitlin Gibson, Washington Post, 16 June 2022 The Chicagoan has been training for a year by swimming in Lake Michigan, where the accident that left him quadriplegic — paralyzed in all four limbs — occurred. Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2022 The avid seaman suffered an accident while diving recreationally, which left him quadriplegic. Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, 12 Aug. 2022 Carston, who died in 2020, was left a quadriplegic after a diving accident at age 23. Kate Santich, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2022 Jan Williamson, 66, fled her house in the Northridge neighborhood along with her husband and 40-year-old daughter Leanne, a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. Melissa Healy, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2022 By chance, Holllingworth’s hospital roommate had been left a quadriplegic due to another accident and offered to use his financial settlement to help the band rent a house above Mill Valley. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2022 Christ, of Jarrettsville a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy, shared his experience at John Archer through his mother, Kim. Tony Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 7 June 2022 See More