Over to you
Athe rriving at the clinic, I looked around at patients doing their exercises, all in various stages of recovery. A couple of years, doctor had said.
I could do a lot in that time. I pictured myself standing on my feet again, walking on the beach...
But with my core muscles and legs useless, and arm movement limited, I had to learn how to do everything again. Brushing my hair, getting dressed…
I also had a catheter and needed help washing.
I had to have round-theclock care, and the reality of going home to Kamden hit me hard. ‘How will I cope?’ I said. ‘Never give up,’ one therapist encouraged.
I set myself small tasks and tackled them one at a time.
But learning to lift myself out of my wheelchair seemed impossible. I fell over, time and time again, and tore a muscle in my shoulder.
That’s when I first heard of trying an exoskeleton.
Watching a video online, I wept.
It showed paralysed people just like me, strapped into a robot-like device.
They were standing, walking!
It would be months till I could try one myself.
Discharged after two weeks, I went to Mum and Dad’s.
It was great seeing Kamden again, but I struggled at home, relying on everyone.
Researching exoskeletons, I applied to take part in dozens of medical trials.
Then, in March last year, a company called David’s Chair heard my story, and reached out to me. They gave me the opportunity to use one of their specialist machines – an Action Trackstander.
Not only was I standing upright, but I went to the beach, one of my favourite places. I’d missed it so much.
It meant the world to me.
Then, in May, a letter came from Stanford University.
They were doing a trial in October on the long-term benefits of using an exoskeleton. And they wanted me involved!
‘I’ll give anything a go,’ I told Kamden.
Back in rehab in June, with my back brace finally off, it was time to practise.
Sitting on the floor, a harness around my hips, therapists placed the pieces around my legs.
The machine was connected to a phone, where I could adjust the settings and speed as needed.
I pressed a button, and suddenly, it came to life – and I was lifted to my feet. Shifting my weight to the left, the machine swung my right foot forward.
Then the same on the other side.
‘I’m walking!’ I yelled in excitement.
I looked like something out of Transformers!
Overwhelmed, I felt my eyes brim.
Thinking of Kamden, I managed 50 steps.
The second time was even better, and I managed 287 steps!
‘We’ve never seen this progress,’ the therapist said.
‘I can’t believe it, either,’ I grinned.
In October, I headed to Stanford with my aunt Monique, 58.
I needed 40 hours of practice in the device.
So far, I’ve done 10 hours of walking with the aid of a walker.
I hope to use it with no support soon.
In the exoskeleton, I feel like myself again – free, confident and independent.
One day, I hope to train as a clinical therapist and help people like me.
In the last year, I’ve been to hell and back. But I’ve learnt anything’s possible.
I was told I’d never walk again. Just look at me now!
Suddenly, it came to life and I was lifted to my feet