Well, I am paralyzed already, and I have been thinking about this topic lately, so it’s weird to see it here. Mainly I’ve been thinking about how blindness is probably the only disability that would be worse than paralysis (though there are probably some I’m not thinking of).
In my current condition I’m strong enough that I can do pretty much everything on my own (other than reach high places), and while everyday I wish that I could feel and use my lower body and all the things that go with it, the idea of getting turned around outside and not knowing where I am, and having to hope that someone trustworthy would be able to help me is positively terrifying. If a blind person gets spun around, how do they have any idea where they are, or if they’re headed in the right direction? I miss being able to walk, and hate being paralyzed, but I’m much more afraid of blindness. Being paralyzed sucks. The idea of being blind is scary.
I’m not sure. I’d have to think about it a little more, but a few years ago I asked myself, would I rather be blind or deaf? And even though it seems to me that being deaf doesn’t impair you nearly as much as being blind would, I don’t think I could bear to never hear music again, and so I decided I’d rather be blind. Then for about a month, I was worried God would strike me blind since I decided it would be okay.
I was blind for a few weeks after a nasty fishing accident. It was pretty sucky, and I’m a very visual person. I dabble in photography and painting and I love the visual side of life.
But paraplegic? Damn. I’d be a burden to my family. I’d never be able to dance again. I’d really hate it. I think I’d have to choose blindness.
Paraplegic, no questions asked. I am an organic chemist and that is all I’ve thought about for years. If I couldn’t do that, I don’t know what I could and I need to see to do it. This is a topic of conversation, because as a practical organic chemist, I have no choice but to risk myself to do what I love. If that was taken from me, I don’t know what I’d do.
Not a good choice but i’d would choose parapalegic because the gift of sight is so great…so is walking but being able to see is a priority in my opinion, as a parapalegic I could not walk but it’s better than being in a “world of darkness”.
Paraplegic. No question. I fully intend to make me livelihood reading and writing. I suppose I could still write because I’m a pretty decent typist and I don’t actually need to see the keyboard…though how awful would it be if my fingers were misplaced and I ended up with 100 pages of yhid idndyrsf og ehsy zi trslly mrsny yo yupr? nonofy eoulf nr snlr oy gihutr ouy ehsy yhr hrll I esd ytesyinh yo dsy.
Also, I don’t like books-on-tape, and I don’t really use my legs too much anyway.
I know that you don’t mean anything negative by this, and I’m not offended by it at all (just to let you know). I should clear it up though, that being paralyzed really sucks, but even a “low” quadriplegic (“low” meaning they only have some use of their arms) can live independently without being a burden on others. And someone with full use of their arms isn’t limited by much (I have a car, job, go to school, go to the gym, get tickets to otherwise sold out events).
There are still things that I need to rely on others for help, such as moving. The way I look at it, if the situation were reversed, I would be more than willing to help them out. I still don’t like having to rely on people, but I don’t think it’s a major issue.
When I was still living in my home country Poland years ago,my friend father with his whole family went to the lake for a picnic.There were short bridges like structures 10-20 meters into the lake and he jumped from one of them head first into the shallow water.His neck snapped and he is fully paraplegic since.
Next ,also friend(16 year old) from same class at the end of high school jumped into the lake.Lake was very deep but there was thick steel line anchored from the shore to the barge and he hit his head into it.same story full paraplegia.
Very tragic stories.But facing no choice I still go for para.
Geez, Dignan, I’m sorry. I didn’t read your post before I posted. I certainly would have worded my response more delicately. I apologize.
Getting back to what you said, I guess I didn’t realize how much a paraplegic can do on their own. I was thinking more in terms of someone who only had very limited use of the arms, i.e., can only operate in a power chair, etc. It sounds like you lead a very full life. I think if I had the same degree of paralysis as you, I’d probably choose that over blindness.
Kalhoun, no problem. I think there might be a misunderstanding of the word “paraplegia” by some of the people that posted. “Paraplegia” is paralysis of the legs. “Quadriplegia” is paralysis of both the arms and the legs. There are varying degrees of each. I’ve heard some paraplegics that have regained some function in their lower bodies still refer to themselves as paraplegic. There are some quadriplegics that have some use of their arms and hands, but lack the ability for precise motor skills with their fingers. Then there are some quadriplegics (probably what you were thinking of) without any function, and have to use a ventilator and move a wheelchair with a straw. It all depends on where the spinal cord is injured (bruised, pinched, or severed) on how much function a person retains.
If the OP would have asked about being a vent-dependant quadriplegic, then I would say that I would agree with your first post.
I would choose paraplegia without a second thought. Not being able to see people’s faces, scenery, fireworks, watch a movie? No way…
Actually, this thread is interesting because I wouldn’t have expected that so many people would choose to go blind.
However, like ** Grasshoper ** I would have a hard time choosing between being blind and being deaf. Not because I couldn’t enjoy music, but because being deaf would severely restrict my ability to communicate.
I have thought about this before, and I would choose blindness. Many years ago, I was very much into photography and doing my own printing, etc. When I started printing color, the darkroom had to be totally pitch dark and while I was in there, I was effectively blind. I was truly amazed by how much my other senses (touch, smell, & hearing) improved when deprived of sight. I believe most people, myself included, rely so heavily on sight that we miss out on so much other sensory stimulation. For me, the gain in acuity of the other senses would greatly offset the loss of vision. Plus, having had vision for so many years, I can always picture in my mind all of the beauty I have seen before and enjoy the memories in vivid detail.
Paraplegia. Like many of you, I like reading too much to give it up, and while I could still “watch” movies if I were blind, I don’t think it would be the same. Even more important to me is travel. IMO, traveling as a blind person would miss the point somehow. Although it is more difficult to travel if you are a wheelchair user, you can still see the sights.
Slightly off topic, but I can’t resist: The huge majority of us would cope just fine with either blindness or paraplegia. I work as a psychologist with people who have recently had spinal cord injuries and despite what people who hear about my job think (“oh, they must all be depressed. I couldn’t handle it if that happened to me”), most people are able to cope and report good quality of life within a year or so.
