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A hit-and-run accident five years ago left Rob Summers paralyzed from the waist down. Doctors said he would never walk again, but thanks to a new type of therapy, he can now stand on his own.
Summers’ injury disrupted the nerve pathway that normally triggers walking. Researchers implanted an electrical stimulator at the base of the spine that – along with special exercises – allowed his legs to move without input from the brain.
“I stand about an hour a day,” Summers says. “I can move my toes ankles knees, hips all on command.”
He’s also made other meaningful progress – regaining bladder and sexual function. But he’s still wheelchair-bound, and doctors cannot say whether he’ll walk again on his own. But, every day, he remembers the first time he stood up.
“It’s that moment that continues to give me the hope for tomorrow, and the future for this project – and helping out millions of other people in my same situation,” Summer says.
Summers’ therapy is in the experimental stage, and the latest results are published in the journal Lancet. Link -via Geekologie
One day, the O’Rourke family of Tucson, Arizona, found a couple of abandoned bunnies in their backyard. Joe, one of the bunnies turns out to be a paraplegic, so young Liam O’Rourke designed this clever little device: the ATB (All Terrain Bunny).
Check it out:
There was a reason the mother rabbit abandoned them. Paul O’Rourke realized one bunny they named Joe had no use of his hind legs. Paul and his family helped nurse the bunnies back to health, but then they went one step further to help the paraplegic bunny.
Paul’s son Liam designed and built a small cart for Joe to help him move around a little easier. The red wagon with yellow wheels took some getting used to, but ultimately seemed to improve his mobility.
Sixteen-year old Daniel Pelletier is paralyzed from the waist down and has endured twenty-five surgeries during his recovery, but he doesn’t let that stop him from being an accomplished skateboarder. Pelletier hopes to get corporate sponsorship with this video. More videos at the link.
