Helpful Steps provides state-of-the-art rehabilitation devices and training for wheelchair users. Our aim is to use these devices to help strengthen people with disabilities. This will improve their health and long-term quality of life.
WHAT IS A ROBOTIC EXOSKELETON?
An exoskeleton is a wearable bionic suit used in rehabilitation. It enables individuals with any lower limb weakness or paralysis to stand up and walk. It is battery-operated and is wrapped over the user’s clothes.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE EXOSKELETON?
Physical exercise is essential for everyone, especially wheelchair users. By standing and moving in a walking motion the user gets the benefits of walking which they wouldn't otherwise get by remaining in a sitting position. Naturally enough it enhances blood flow, retains bone density, reduces muscle atrophy and promotes better bladder and bowel function. Users have reported being elated and having an enormous sense of well-being.
LOCATION
The exoskeleton is located in Cork city in Elite Gym, in the Marina Commercial Park. Elite Gym is owned by Colin O'Shaughnessy. It is the only exoskeleton available to the public in Ireland.
ARE YOU A WHEELCHAIR USER? DO YOU WANT TO TRY IT?
Specific Ekso Bionics forms are to be filled out by your GPs. Our Ekso Bionics-trained physiotherapists will assess the participant and measure them correctly to ensure an accurate, safe fit into the robot. All going well, you will be up and moving in a walking motion.
WHERE DOES THE ROBOT COME FROM?
Originally it was developed for the American army to assist with manual transport of heavy supplies over uneven terrain. The robotic exoskeleton was manufactured in California by Ekso Bionicis. Initially Berkeley Bionics, Ekso Bionics was founded in Berkeley, California in 2005.
HOW IT IS USED
The suit is a wearable, battery-operated bionic exoskeleton wrapped over the user’s clothes. With its easy adjustments, transition between patients of different heights and widths takes as little as five minutes. It enables the users with lower weakness or paralysis to stand and walk on level surfaces. For effective usage, the user must learn how to balance and weight shift when wearing the device. It is the only functional-based rehabilitation which provides over ground gait training and upright, weight-bearing exercises.
WHY LOCATE THE ROBOT IN A GYM?
Following a spinal cord injury and the completion of his rehab, Nathan Kirwan quickly realised that Cork lacked a motivating venue where people with disabilities can participate in exercise programmes. He teamed up with Colin O’Shaughnessy of Elite Gym Cork, and together they are setting out to provide programmes to facilitate a range of people moving back into the community and taking up their lives. The objective in providing a robotic exoskeleton is to ensure that people with lower limb weakness can get the benefits of walking regularly.
WHERE IS THE EXOSKELETON LOCATED?
The robot is located just outside Cork City in Elite Gym, in the Marina Commercial Park. Elite Gym is owned by Colin O'Shaughnessy world champion kickboxer. It is an extremely motivating atmosphere, with all types of people training there: professional athletes, paralympic weight lifting, and people who want to just keep fit.
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER; 20200170.
WHAT IS A ROBOTIC EXOSKELETON?
An exoskeleton is a wearable bionic suit used in rehabilitation. It enables individuals with any lower limb weakness or paralysis to stand up and walk. It is battery-operated and is wrapped over the user’s clothes.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE EXOSKELETON?
Physical exercise is essential for everyone, especially wheelchair users. By standing and moving in a walking motion the user gets the benefits of walking which they wouldn't otherwise get by remaining in a sitting position. Naturally enough it enhances blood flow, retains bone density, reduces muscle atrophy and promotes better bladder and bowel function. Users have reported being elated and having an enormous sense of well-being.
LOCATION
The exoskeleton is located in Cork city in Elite Gym, in the Marina Commercial Park. Elite Gym is owned by Colin O'Shaughnessy. It is the only exoskeleton available to the public in Ireland.
ARE YOU A WHEELCHAIR USER? DO YOU WANT TO TRY IT?
Specific Ekso Bionics forms are to be filled out by your GPs. Our Ekso Bionics-trained physiotherapists will assess the participant and measure them correctly to ensure an accurate, safe fit into the robot. All going well, you will be up and moving in a walking motion.
WHERE DOES THE ROBOT COME FROM?
Originally it was developed for the American army to assist with manual transport of heavy supplies over uneven terrain. The robotic exoskeleton was manufactured in California by Ekso Bionicis. Initially Berkeley Bionics, Ekso Bionics was founded in Berkeley, California in 2005.
HOW IT IS USED
The suit is a wearable, battery-operated bionic exoskeleton wrapped over the user’s clothes. With its easy adjustments, transition between patients of different heights and widths takes as little as five minutes. It enables the users with lower weakness or paralysis to stand and walk on level surfaces. For effective usage, the user must learn how to balance and weight shift when wearing the device. It is the only functional-based rehabilitation which provides over ground gait training and upright, weight-bearing exercises.
WHY LOCATE THE ROBOT IN A GYM?
Following a spinal cord injury and the completion of his rehab, Nathan Kirwan quickly realised that Cork lacked a motivating venue where people with disabilities can participate in exercise programmes. He teamed up with Colin O’Shaughnessy of Elite Gym Cork, and together they are setting out to provide programmes to facilitate a range of people moving back into the community and taking up their lives. The objective in providing a robotic exoskeleton is to ensure that people with lower limb weakness can get the benefits of walking regularly.
WHERE IS THE EXOSKELETON LOCATED?
The robot is located just outside Cork City in Elite Gym, in the Marina Commercial Park. Elite Gym is owned by Colin O'Shaughnessy world champion kickboxer. It is an extremely motivating atmosphere, with all types of people training there: professional athletes, paralympic weight lifting, and people who want to just keep fit.
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER; 20200170.
