Spinal Cord Injuries, otherwise known as SCI, are caused by traumatic injuries that wholly or partially tear the spinal cord. They are a common cause of death or permanent disability in children and adults. However, patients with SCI don’t have to die or live beneath their potential, thanks to NDIS funding. If you are considering accessing NDIS funding for a SCI patient, here’s how to go about it!
What Spinal Cord Injury Entails
Since Spinal Cord Injury damages the nerves or nerve fibres of the spinal cord (which sends and receives signals from the brain), and these signals pass messages from the body to the brain and vice versa, any damage to these signals will result in a minor or significant change in the body’s functioning.
SCI can result from damage that directly affects the spinal cord or the surrounding bones and tissues. It can affect movement, breathing, the functioning of body organs, sensation, etc. How it affects the functioning of some organs depends on its severity and location.
Basically, the higher the degree of the injury to the spinal cord, the greater the impact on functional impairment that will be experienced on the lower and upper body. However, the damagedone done to the lower part of the spinal cord may only affect the lower body. An injury to the neck which affects the first (C1) and second (C2) vertebrae of the spinal column or the mid-cervical vertebrae (C3, C4, C5) affects the ability to breathe and the respiratory muscles while a lower injury in the lumbar vertebrae affects the muscle control and nerve of the bladder, bowel, and legs.
Types of Spinal Cord Injury
Levels of Spinal Cord Injury
The four levels of the spinal cord is related to four sections of the spinal cord and the levels are named after the sections of the spinal cord. They include; cervical, lumbar, sacral, and thoracic. Every section provides protection for different sets of nerves which controls the body. The sections affected determine how severe and what type of SCI it is.
- Cervical spinal cord injuries: Cervical SCIs affect the head and neck region just above the shoulders. Of all the levels of SCIs, cervical is the most severe.
- Lumbar spinal cord injuries: Lumbar SCIs affects the hips and the legs. Patients with this level of injury will have to seek support from wheelchair or braces.
- Sacral spinal cord injuries: Sacral SCIs affects the back of the thighs, the hips, buttocks and the pelvic organs. Patients with these level of SCI might be lucky enough to walk.
- Thoracic spinal cord injuries: Thoracic SCIs affects the abdominal muscles,the upper chest, and the mid-back. Usually, the arm and hand function is normal for patients with this level of SCI.
Causes And
SCIs are majorly classified into two parts: complete spinal cord injury and incomplete spinal cord injury.
Complete Spinal Cord Injury
Complete spinal cord injury is the permanent damage done to the part of the spinal cord that is injured. Patients with complete SCIs lose complete control of sensory and motor functions below the injury area of the spinal cord. Paraplegia and tetraplegia are examples of complete SCIs.
Tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia, is the damage done to the high part of the spinal cord, which in turn causes paralysis in most body parts, including the limbs. It happens from high-level damage done to the cervical spinal cord.
Paraplegia, also known as partial paralysis, is the damage done to the lower part of the spinal cord, which may only affect the patient’s lower body parts and legs.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
An incomplete SCI is partial damage done to the spinal cord. It can be caused by a spinal cord contusion, stretching, partial severance of the spinal cord and so on. Its severity and symptoms depend on the area of the spinal cord that was damaged. It usually results in the lessening of sensory and motor functions just below the site where the spinal cord is. Over time, the patient may regain some of the functions. The general outcome depends on the patient’s body, health and medical history.Causes And Symptoms OfOf Spinal Cord Injury
SCIs can be caused when the area of the spine or neck has been bent or compressed. Other causes of SCIs include; vehicle accidents, trampoline accidents, diving accidents, sport injuries, birth injuries, gunshots, falls, and infections that form abscess on the spinal cord.
The symptoms of SCIs in patients varies depending on the location of the injury on the spinal cord and the severity of the damage done. There is a probability that after a person has suffered an injury to the spinal cord, the spine will be in shock. This in turn causes decrease or total loss in feeling, reflexes and movement of the muscles. As time goes on, other symptoms will start appearing depending on the location of the injury. Most common symptoms of SCIs are; breathing problems, trouble coughing, loss of feeling (numbness) in the chest, arms, or legs, loss of voluntary muscle movement in the chest, arms, and legs, trouble walking or balancing, weakness of the muscles, loss of bowel and bladder function, exaggerated reflex activities, loss of sensation (ability to feel touch, cold, and hot), pain or intense stinging sensation, and extreme back pain.
Determining Eligibility Status For Spinal Cord Injury
Before a person can be considered eligible for NDIS funding, such a person must be
- Between the ages of 9 and 65 years old.
- An Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or a holder of a Protected Special Category Visa.
- Have a disability caused by a permanent impairment.
SCI is part of the disabilities published by the NDIS eligible for NDIS funding. As such, an individual with complete or partial SCI can be qualified for NDIS funding.
Services Available For Patients Under NDIS Spinal Cord Injury Funding
The support patients of SCI get depends on the severity of their condition, their level of independence, their needs and the support they require.
- Support Workers: They assist with daily activities like mobility and transfers, getting in and out of bed, assistance using mobility devices, grooming, showering, and domestic tasks.
- Assistive Technology: They get funds for aid and equipment to assist with daily activities.
- Therapies: They get the therapeutic support they need, like physiotherapy.
- Home Modifications: Patients with SCI get funds for modifying their homes to make them more accessible and conducive to their needs.
- Transportation: They are supported with easily accessible transportation to attend community activities and medical appointments.
- They get funds for support services and accommodation for those who need assistance with daily living.
- They are aided to engage in social and community activities.
Services and support funds vary based on the person’s needs and circumstances.
How To Get NDIS Funding For Spinal Cord Injury
To access NDIS funding for spinal cord injury, individuals can follow these steps:
- Check Eligibility: The person must meet the eligibility requirements laid down by NDIS, which is having a permanent disability that affects their daily life.
- Request Access: Contact NDIS by visiting their website or calling them. You must provide the necessary information on the required documentation and assessment procedures.
- Assessment: Go through the assessment steps to determine eligibility status and gather needed information about the patient’s goals, needs and current support arrangements. It is paramount to provide accurate information.
- Meeting: Once the patient has been declared eligible, you will participate in a planning meeting with an NDIS representative to discuss the goals, needs, and support the patient requires.
- Service Providers: It’s advisable to choose service providers registered with the NDIS to deliver the needed support and services.
Once the plan is implemented, the patient can access it according to the plan. If necessary, review the plan regularly and ensure it meets the patient’s current goals and needs.
In conclusion, living with Spinal Cord Injury is a very challenging thing, and it requires a lot of support that is covered by the NDIS funding. However, you need the right NDIS service providers to access the right type of funding and maximise all the benefits provided. Contact us now to assist you in accessing the NDIS funding for your loved one/patient!