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Are there any sensations in the paralyzed area?

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Written by Sean on Thursday, May 22, 1997

Is the dividing line between the paralyzed area and non-paralyzed area abrupt or gradual?

Yes and no! I have an incomplete injury so I do have some sensations but they are not “normal” For example I can feel touch on my thighs but cannot tell between Hot and Cold. In the completely paralyzed area I have no sensation of touch, pain, awareness of where my legs are etc.

It is lower at the front slightly higher at the back. In places it is quite well defined in others more gradual. The zone between sensation and no sensation is often hypersensitive to the extent of being painful. It is never abrupt.

To another similar question Kevin answered: I have no “normal” sensation below the injury but some patches of disturbed sensation on the fronts of my thighs i.e. I can feel a touch in places but not wetter it is hot or cold, or I could feel a hand but not a pin prick. I have no awareness of the position of my joints (Proprioception). The transitional zone between feeling and no feeling is at times hyper sensitive. I have some muscle power in my hips but limited awareness of where they are and no motor power below that.

 

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About Sean

Sean is transabled. His body image is that of an L2 paraplegic. He has been living pretty much 100% of his public life from a wheelchair for the last decade, but hasn't found peace of mind (and is unlikely to until he does become a para).