Sentence 1: Tom was born with a genetic disorder. 
 Sentence 3: Last month he was able to try a new experimental surgery 
 Sentence 4:  It was the first time tried on a person 
 Sentence 5:  It didn't work and he's still in a wheelchair 
 Option 1: He has always been paralyzed from the waist up. 
 Option 2: He has always been paralyzed from the waist down.