parachute is of the "against" type
as in "against falling" (from the french chuter)
(similarly parasol and parapluie are against the sun and rain respectively)

paraplegic comes from "beside" ... as in one side of you is fucked (may not be a perfect translation from the greek)

parascending means "against ascending" so should mean being dragged behind a boat with an anvil tied to your feet
( Dr. Shambolic je suis charlie, Wed 6 Jul 2005, 13:29, archived)

Got you
so is para-medic and para-military the "beside" type? I guess so.

Wiktionary was shite but dictionary.com came up with

1. Beside; near; alongside: parathyroid.
2. Beyond: paranormal.
3. Incorrect; abnormal: paresthesia.
4. Similar to; resembling: paratyphoid fever.
5. Subsidiary; assistant: paraprofessional.

Ah, that last one explains the military/medic and now I think about it paralegal one as well.

Ta. Learn something knew every day.
( Fenris temporary Lazarus, Wed 6 Jul 2005, 13:32, archived)