I know. The article doesn't say. Maybe it's part of his disease. Some people break bones easily.

Well, there was the car accident, and I'm guessing this accounts for much of it. Likely broken ribs with the infections - coughing can do that, especially if you can't move your body into a better position.

And then outside of this: It takes some practice to maneuver a wheelchair. You wind up hitting your foot and hands and things (or others can easily do this). I'm guessing there are times when things just go badly (wheel stuck in a rut) and he winds up on the ground, wheelchair over part of him. He probably has some bones that are more brittle than we'd expect because they don't regularly bear weight (legs).

And don't forget, this is over 34 years with what seems like high risk factors and some unfortunate accidents over the time - and sometimes multiple breakings at once due to the accidents.

Having control over our bodies prevents accidents, more than just about anything. If you fall out of a chair as an able-bodied person, you instinctively readjust your weight, catch yourself with your hands, land on your butt, and minimize injury. Fall out of a chair when you have no control over your body and you can break bones.

He's active, he gets around, he travels -- and he has literally has no ability to catch himself, readjust himself, move quickly to avoid danger, and he's doing it all on a device looks safer, but is far more precarious, in some ways, than two legs. I can hike up a dirt trail or navigate an icy sidewalk -- even step up onto a curb -- without worrying. Try being in a wheelchair under similar circumstances.