Physical Rehabilitation Advancement and Aids

[John Sorensen]

Just watched this amazing walking robot legs being used in rehab in Japan and had to share the video. Amazing!

[BethAnne]

That was pretty cool!   It makes sense that it would help with muscle memory.  Just having the experience of walking again after sitting for 5 years seems like it would give an emotional lift.
Thanks for sharing.

[Deb]

That's amazing! They need to get the price down on those things. Great idea for caregivers to be able to use them, nurses and caregivers get too many injuries from lifting/moving patients. I'm not sure if this would work for people who are paralyzed (started thinking of Christopher Reeve), there's a disconnect between the thought and the nerves in the legs, etc. But this may also pave the way for advances for those situations...

[John Sorensen]

Christopher Reeve (Superman Chris) after 7 years of full paralysis from the neck down got some movement back in his finger, hand and then was able to lift his arm above his head.


Doctor's told him it was "impossible" but he didn't care.
His exercise routine (with rehab specialists) helped some of his nerves grow and re-establish signals.


He also walked in a swimming pool with his feet weighted down, and someone holding / bracing him. Which is something I have also done with a guy who had an brain injury, but who did not have full paralysis (but he did use a wheelchair).


Chris Reeve was determined to walk again, and he did, in a sense, he was still paralysed, and he still had to use his chair. But he did the impossible, and like Iceman Wim Hoff, had numerous scientists studying him all along they way, so they have the data, and can use it for other people and new methods of rehab etc.


He also set up a foundation to get grants to people with spinal injuries. Chris believed that it is possible to make a total recovery from spinal injury and walk again. His biography really brings a tear to your eye, because in many ways he was a real life Superman, in that Superman is a symbol of hope and inspiration. Nobody has even did a better job of playing Superman than Christopher Reeve in 75 years.