Exo-Skeleton Allows Paralyzed Madison Vet to Stand and Walk
Apr 18, 2014 0:08:47 GMT -8
Post by Lαrα on Apr 18, 2014 0:08:47 GMT -8
This is a great story about Army veteran Dan Rose who was paralyzed in Vietnam. He can now stand and walk with the help of the £130,000 Exo-skeleton, which was donated to him.
Rose’s cousin, Nick Roush, places Rose’s feet in bindings, tightens Velcro straps around his legs and chest and locks the suit’s hip joints. When everything’s secure, Rose is ready to move.
He takes slow, stilted steps in his black Chuck Taylors by carefully positioning each leg, shifting his weight and then triggering the exo suit to move by pushing buttons on a pair of crutches.
He takes slow, stilted steps in his black Chuck Taylors by carefully positioning each leg, shifting his weight and then triggering the exo suit to move by pushing buttons on a pair of crutches.
People with paralysis are using similar suits in hospitals and rehab centers, but very few people actually own a device to use at home.
Jennifer Macievich is a physical therapist with Ekso Bionics, the company that makes Dan Rose’s suit. She trained his cousin and a friend to be spotters.
“Dan’s part of our study where we’re trying to decide whether or not using the device with a lay person who doesn’t have medical training is safe and effective. And he’s using this device as a home exercise unit. It’s not something he puts on and is gonna walk around in all day,” Macievich says.
Jennifer Macievich is a physical therapist with Ekso Bionics, the company that makes Dan Rose’s suit. She trained his cousin and a friend to be spotters.
“Dan’s part of our study where we’re trying to decide whether or not using the device with a lay person who doesn’t have medical training is safe and effective. And he’s using this device as a home exercise unit. It’s not something he puts on and is gonna walk around in all day,” Macievich says.
