Robotic Suit Helps Paraplegics Stand Tall and Proud

HAIFA, Israel

After two decades of having to look up to people around him, Radi Kaiof is now looking them straight in the eyes. He’s also standing, walking, and climbing stairs: no small feat for someone paralyzed from the waist down.

Radi, a former Israeli paratrooper who was paralyzed 20 years ago while serving in the military, has been participating in the trials of a new robotic suit called ReWalk. Motorized leg supports aided by crutches function as a sort of electronic exoskeleton, powering the 41-year-old's legs to move forward in stride. Body sensors and a back pack containing a computerized control box and rechargeable batteries allow the wearer to chose a setting with a remote control wrist band -- stand, sit, walk, descend or climb.

"I never dreamed I would walk again. After I was wounded, I forgot what it's like," Radi beams.
"Only when standing up can I feel how tall I really am and speak to people eye to eye, not from below."

ReWalk is the invention of Amit Goffer, founder of Argo Medical Technologies, a small Israeli technology outfit. Goffer’s inspiration to help others comes in part from that fact that he himself is paralyzed, though he cannot use his own invention because he does not have full function of his arms.

"It raises people out of their wheelchair and lets them stand up straight," Goffer said. "It's not just about health, it's also about dignity."

Kate Parkin, director of physical and occupational therapy at NYU Medical Centre, explains that the benefits to standing and walking are great not just for the body, but also for the mind:

"Physically, the body works differently when upright. You can challenge different muscles and allow full expansion of the lung. Psychologically, it lets people live at the upright level and make eye contact."

After our recent post regarding the new control system for quadriplegics, it's great to see even more good news in the arena of health innovations for those living with paralysis.

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