Communication: Talking is sometimes difficult, very limited or impossible. If ability to talk is limited, communication can be accomplished independently with a mouth stick and assistive technologies. Effective verbal communication allows the individual with SCI to direct caregivers in their ADLs -bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, transferring as well as bladder and bowel management.

Daily tasks: Assistive technology allows for independence in tasks such as turning pages, using a telephone and operating lights and appliances.

Mobility: Can operate an electric wheelchair by using a head control, mouth stick, or chin control, and can tilt wheelchair for independent pressure relief.

May be able to shrug their shoulders (C4 level).

Communication: Communication devices may be needed or may be normal.

Daily tasks: Environmental controls are often needed. Dependent for feeding, dressing, and bowel and bladder care. Can independently operate an adjustable bed with an adapted controller.

Mobility: Dependent for bed mobility and transfers, independent in electric wheelchair and with pressure relief by reclining wheelchair.

Health care: Can manage their own health care by doing self-assist coughs and pressure reliefs by moving side-to-side.

Mobility: Moderate to maximum assistance needed for bed mobility. Maximum assistance needed for sliding board transfers. Independent in electric wheelchair with hand drive/controls. Independent in manual wheelchair with quad pegs for indoor mobility.

Health care: Can independently do pressure relief (side-to-side), skin checks and turn in bed.

Mobility: Independent bed mobility and transfers but often require a sliding board and may need minimal help with transfers that are not level. Independent with lightweight manual wheelchair on level ground, gentle slopes, and 2-inch curbs. Can take off armrests and footplates independently. Drives adapted car independently

Health care: Able to do wheelchair pushups for pressure reliefs.

Mobility: Daily use of manual wheelchair. Can transfer with greater ease. Independent in uneven transfers. May be able to transfer floor to wheelchair. Independent in manual wheelchair on slightly uneven ground, low curbs, and standard ramps. May be able to stand in parallel bars with braces.

C8: Independent bladder function with intermittent catheterization. Independent bowel function with digital stimulation. Independent car transfers and may be able to get wheelchair loaded.

Mobility: Uses manual wheelchair. Can transfer independently.

Mobility: Independent in all transfers and pressure relief. Independent with manual wheelchair on curbs, ramps, wheelies, and uneven ground. Able to load wheelchair into car and drive with hand controls. Able to walk short distances with leg braces locked straight and crutches or walker.

Mobility: Walking with leg braces and walker possible
Walking a long distance may be hard, and wheelchair use is still needed due to the high energy needed. Walking a long distance may be hard, and wheelchair use is still needed due to the high energy needed.

L1 to L2: Independent transfers from bottom of tub.
Walking with leg braces and crutches possible, but wheelchair use still needed due to high energy needed.

L3 to L5: Walking with leg braces and straight canes. May use wheelchair for sports or long distances.

Depending on level of injury, there are various degrees of return of voluntary bladder, bowel and sexual functions.

S1 to S3: Walking without leg braces possible, but may be needed due to muscle imbalances