Dave Andrews, age 13, of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, for his question:

WHAT IS A QUADRIPLEGIC?

When a person does not have the use of his arms and hands and his legs, he is called a quadriplegic. This type of paralysis can result following a broken neck with a spinal cord injury, or from diseases or tumors which affect the spinal cord.

Except in polio and certain other diseases, sensation and muscle power are lost when a person has quadriplegia. If there is just a weakness in all four limbs but not total paralysis, the condition is called quadriparesis.

Because of the loss of muscle power, a quadriplegic has limited ability to become completely independent. He can, however, be taught to do many things for himself and often can drive a car or carry on his work in a wheelchair.