Paraplegic or not

[jo011e2470]

I have been reading some of the old topics about paraplegia. In 1965 I suffered  a spinal cord injury after a fall.As I was only sixteen at the time I was never told or I have forgot what the original diagnosis was.

After my injury I had no feeling below my waist. After 2/3weeks I managed to get some movement back and was able to walk out of the hospital with two sticks and a couple of calipers but under my own steam. I also had the usual problems with my bladder and bowels

Since being on the inter-net I have managed to find out more about my spinal injury. I discovered it was  at L1 L2 incomplete injury

After reading the topics in this forum I asked my GP if i was a incomplete paraplegic he said no I was spinal injured but I was able to walk I could not be classed as a incomplete paraplegic. I was fine with this diagnosis. After reading the topics under "paraplegia" I am now confused. What is the right diagnosis?

[Gary Anderson]

If you have injured your back and spinal cord and can walk - you are classed as incomplete paraplegic. Same as me. My cord is OK, undamaged but the nerves that leave the base of the spine are damaged.

Or, as your doc says, you are spinally injured and can walk.

Same difference!

[jo011e2470]

Thank you Gary for your reply. this clears up a few things
 
One of them is claiming Incapacity benefit.I have claimed this benefit for the past ten years and have never been sent for a medical.   

One of the exemptions is incomplete/complete paraplegia I can now assume that the Benefit Agency medical adviser  has classed me as a incomplete paraplegia

[Gary Anderson]

My accident was 20 years ago and I have the same problem. The small brains folk have hear the word "paraplegic" and think "wheelchair" so, if you are on your feet, you must be a con merchant!!

I had to actually write INCOMPLETE PARAPLEGIC in huge capitals on one form I filled in because nobody would believe me. Now, I just don't bother. When folk ask, I tell them I am "walking disabled."

It's like cauda equina syndrome. When I tell folk that is what I suffer from they look with vacant stares as if  had the plague! Sometimes you come across someone who understands but it is rare.