Testimonials from some of our exoskeleton users.
I started using the Alter-G over a year ago. I have Osteogenesis Imperfecta (brittle bones) and I am a full-time wheelchair user, weight bearing exercise is very important for my health but a suitable exercise can be difficult to find. Before using the Alter-G any walking exercise that I did was through physiotherapy using aids, I was always quite anxious that I would fall and fracture and this impacted on my progress. By using the Alter-G I can walk in a safe environment with low impact with my earphones in and my music on! At each session Colin adjusts the amount of weight I bear and the speed and gradient I walk at depending on how I am feeling that day. It gives me a great sense of achievement to see how much further I can walk as time goes on, my legs have gotten stronger and I have become more confident. As the Alter-G is in the gym (instead of a more medical setting) I can fit it in with my life better which means I consistently go! Colin and everyone at the gym are very welcoming and helpful and dedicated to ensuring that if I miss a session that I have a valid reason!
Denise Burns
Denise has MS. She travels from Tralee regularly to use the exoskeleton. This is what she has to say about her experience.
"On day 1 I commented on all the fit healthy people around me....it's a "real gym" where every person there has their own goals - all are individual, everyone's struggle is different, It's not a hospital physio room it's a real gym! That makes me feel like I'm there for fitness other than because I have MS.
I used the Exoskeleton yesterday for the forth time. Today my legs are easier to bend, have less spasticity, muscle tone looks improved & I feel enthusiastic to exercise more to keep improving my performance for the next time I get to use the Exo.
Using the Exo means so much now - not only am I getting up out of my wheelchair to exercise but I'm going from A to B!
The boyz at the gym are great, Colin, Craig & Nathan are there to help & want to! Not only do I use the exoskeleton, I've been instructed on using weights & exercise machines.
I'm already looking forward to next weeks session...."
Jamie Wall
"I started using the ekso at the beginning of June 2015. For me it's a no brainer, the human body has evolved and was built to be upright and moving, and that doesn't change when you suffer a spinal injury, a stroke, or are diagnosed with any other illness that impairs your ability to do so. The healthy benefits are clear and varied, most notably for me the 4 B's as I call them, Bowel, Bladder, Bone Density and Blood Flow. Not to mention the fact that as science moves closer to the day where an even bigger answer may come, helping the body to remember those walking patterns could help to make all the difference."
"I started using the ekso at the beginning of June 2015. For me it's a no brainer, the human body has evolved and was built to be upright and moving, and that doesn't change when you suffer a spinal injury, a stroke, or are diagnosed with any other illness that impairs your ability to do so. The healthy benefits are clear and varied, most notably for me the 4 B's as I call them, Bowel, Bladder, Bone Density and Blood Flow. Not to mention the fact that as science moves closer to the day where an even bigger answer may come, helping the body to remember those walking patterns could help to make all the difference."
Shannen O'Flaherty
I started using the exoskeleton in April. Since then, I’ve aimed to use it in the Elite gym twice a week. First of all, having some sort of fitness routine is major for me. Having the exo in a gym is the best idea. No disrespect to Lazarus, but if he was in a clinical environment, there’s no way I’d make the effort to see him twice a week.
There’s a ton of health benefits from using the exo, but the biggest benefit for me is that I feel tired after a walk. Not like “I’m exhausted” kinda tired, but the “I’ve actually used my legs” kinda tired. I’m the worst sleeper and I can definitely say I sleep ten times better after using the exo.
The disease I have (Friedreich's Ataxia) is progressive and I would like to think using the exo is slowing down the progression.
Lastly, the first time I used the exo I did about 200 steps. Now most times I use it, I do over 1000. I’m super proud of myself! Apart from the physical health benefits, it’s great mentally to get up from the wheelchair and have a walk about.
I started using the exoskeleton in April. Since then, I’ve aimed to use it in the Elite gym twice a week. First of all, having some sort of fitness routine is major for me. Having the exo in a gym is the best idea. No disrespect to Lazarus, but if he was in a clinical environment, there’s no way I’d make the effort to see him twice a week.
There’s a ton of health benefits from using the exo, but the biggest benefit for me is that I feel tired after a walk. Not like “I’m exhausted” kinda tired, but the “I’ve actually used my legs” kinda tired. I’m the worst sleeper and I can definitely say I sleep ten times better after using the exo.
The disease I have (Friedreich's Ataxia) is progressive and I would like to think using the exo is slowing down the progression.
Lastly, the first time I used the exo I did about 200 steps. Now most times I use it, I do over 1000. I’m super proud of myself! Apart from the physical health benefits, it’s great mentally to get up from the wheelchair and have a walk about.
Ann Hennessy
“I can't stop telling people about the exoskeleton, can't believe I walked nearly 500 steps,it was amazing, I'll definitely be back next week”.
“I can't stop telling people about the exoskeleton, can't believe I walked nearly 500 steps,it was amazing, I'll definitely be back next week”.
Kieran Taaffe
"Well Nathan,
Just a quick note to say again a huge thank you to you and the lads for last weekend.
Craig, Colin & Mark were so helpful and understanding of my situation - it made the whole experience run a lot more smoother than I had envisaged.
I really enjoyed the experience of using the Exo - It is an amazing piece of kit, it was very strange at first to look down and see your legs walking after 25 years.
I have not stopped talking about the suit or praising all you lads to everyone I know,
I would like to hopefully get down maybe once or twice a month to do a walk - I will contact you with regards to days/times etc to see if the Exo is available. Thanks again for all your help.
I will send you some pics etc for the website
Regards,
Kieran"
Padraig
"I am excited though that once I keep my body fit through devices like the suit then with future developments in medicine, anything may be possible! I imagine what might happen in another 15 years."
Britney
“I was just scared that I might tumble over. When I finally got into Lazarus, my heart was racing. I was speechless. Then when I took my first step, it felt amazing and a bit strange because I haven't been walking for nearly 6 years. I just could not believe what was happening. I’m walking!”
Nathan
"This is not about a cure, this is about future possibilities, whether medical or robotic."
"I am excited though that once I keep my body fit through devices like the suit then with future developments in medicine, anything may be possible! I imagine what might happen in another 15 years."
Britney
“I was just scared that I might tumble over. When I finally got into Lazarus, my heart was racing. I was speechless. Then when I took my first step, it felt amazing and a bit strange because I haven't been walking for nearly 6 years. I just could not believe what was happening. I’m walking!”
Nathan
"This is not about a cure, this is about future possibilities, whether medical or robotic."
