1)Arthritis, in pain so bad, only unconsciousness would relieve it.
2)Loss of bowel control. Completely, no indication, no recourse but a diaper, if he could feel it.
3)Paralysis. Sooner or later the spinal cord will be blocked, pressured, cut or pinched. Then you are wheelchair bound with drugs and a bag attached. Or like Christopher Reeve
4)Loss of upper brain functions. Some of the drugs work exceedingly well for a number of connected maladies, but the higher brain functions suffer. And memory gets worse.
5)Depending on the break and the portion of the cord that gets pinched, a repirator may be neccessary, and eating will be fluids only.
In other words total medical care given by others.
Not a pretty future for anyone.
Not really what you would call 'living'.
Of course it’s living. Maybe one’s life is more than ones self. Maybe it’s family and friends, or strangers. Maybe we don’t know God’s purpose and why some suffer with physical problems or others with mental anguish. I have met people with terrible handicaps whose love and appreciation for life absolutely humbled me. And I think to myself if a person can even just for a moment touch one persons life is that not some greater purpose. I think it’s everybody’s loss when someone throws away what is already so brief and precious.
I am sorry you are suffering, but I am glad you are here.