What can a quadriplegic do?

Answer 1

It depends on the cause, location and severity of the injury or disease that caused the disability. Some quads can move their arms or their fingers, some can flex the muscles in their legs. Others can do basically nothing, not even eat or breathe on their own.

I care for a quad who's injury was just below his skull. He can eat and has control of his face, and he can speak, but cannot breathe or move anything else on his body. He is on a ventilator all the time, and if it were disconnected he would die in minutes. He needs laxatives to move his bowels because they get very little sensation from the brain to keep things moving along. He can't pass gas, so his belly gets very large, like a balloon sometimes. He can feel deep pressure, but not pain on his skin. He can get an erection but isn't in control or even aware of it, and certainly has no feeling down there. He can't move his arms or legs at all. He uses a straw-type controller to use his computer, control the temperature in his room and control his TV.

Basically, from the neck up, he's a normal guy. He listens to music, watches movies, plays Video Games. Mentally, he's all there, and can hold a conversation about anything. From the neck down, he's injured. He needs help with every aspect of daily living.

But, I've also cared for quads that had diseases, not injuries, who couldn't speak or swallow, but had some limited motion in their limbs. So, it varies greatly from person to person. I hope I've answered your question.