devastating – adj. causing extreme emotional pain

cold – n. a common illness that affects the nose, throat, and eyes and that usually causes coughing and sneezing

paralyzed – adj. a person or animal that is unable to move or feel all or part of the body

assume – v. to think that something is true or probably true without knowing that it is true

outbreak(s) – n. a sudden start or increase of fighting or disease

physical therapy – n. the treatment of a disease or an injury of the muscles or joints with massage, exercises and heat

sensitivity – n. the quality of being easily affected by something in a bad or unpleasant way

neck – n. the part of the body between the head and the upper chest

spinal cord – n. the large group of nerves which runs through the center of the spine and carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body