Spinal Cord Injury And Social Security Disability Insurance
Patricia Woloch asked:
Spinal cord injuries can be very traumatic. The spine is very, very sensitive and injuries to the spinal cord can vary from minor back pain to debilitating paralysis. The spine is the home to the cells that deliver the commands from the brain to the rest of the body.
Partial or Complete Spinal Cord Injuries
Partial spinal cord injuries occur when the spinal cord is still able to deliver some of the information from the brain to the rest of the body. This means that people who suffer from partial spinal cord injuries may retain some sensation and movement in their body below the area of the spinal cord injury. People who suffer from partial spinal cord injuries also have a much better chance of a full recovery.
Complete spinal cord injuries are those where the damage to the spinal cord is so great that there is loss of feeling or movement in all areas below the area of the injury. Those who suffer from complete spinal cord injuries will never have a full recovery.
Location of the Injury
The location of the spinal cord injury is an indicator as to how severe the effects of the injury will be. For example, a spinal cord injury that is high, near the neck, will most likely result in paralysis in both the arms and legs and may also make it impossible to breathe without the aid of a respirator. Spinal cord injuries lower on the spinal cord, however, may only result in damage to the legs or lower parts of the body.
Whether you have a partial or complete spinal cord injury, one that has resulted in full paralysis, or only affected your lower body, spinal cord injuries are debilitating. They have a damaging effect on the quality of life, and almost always prevent those who suffer from them from returning to work.
Because of the debilitating nature of spinal cord injuries, if you have suffered one you may be entitled to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). SSDI is intended to provide monetary assistance to those who suffer an injury that prevents them from working to their retirement age.
The federal Social Security Administration administers SSDI and its requirements can be difficult to understand. There is enough to deal with after suffering from a spinal cord injury, and dealing with a federal agency trying to receive benefits you are entitled you is something you should not have to worry about.
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