Parksville Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell took her first extended steps in 27 years this week, using a special mechanical device.
Stilwell was involved in an accident at age 17 that left her a quadriplegic. Losing the ability to walk didnB次元官网网址檛 curtail her deep love of sports and she eventually went on to become one of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 most-decorated Paralympic athletes, winning multiple gold medals for Canada in wheelchair basketball and wheelchair racing.
Stilwell visited the clinic in Victoria for a session on a B次元官网网址攁 device that provides highly repetitive and physiological gait training for patients with neurological issues.
The user is suspended in a harness over the treadmill, and the robotic frame is fitted to the clientB次元官网网址檚 legs. The robotic frame then moves the clientB次元官网网址檚 legs (with or without the clientB次元官网网址檚 active participation) in a natural walking pattern.
Using the Lokomat, Stilwell was able to walk 800 metres (1,140 steps), more than sheB次元官网网址檚 done in nearly three decades.
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B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a different perspective being that tall when youB次元官网网址檙e so used to sitting all the time,B次元官网网址� Stilwell said. B次元官网网址淚t actually felt like walking. ItB次元官网网址檚 been 27 yearsB次元官网网址� but it felt realistic to me.B次元官网网址�
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Stilwell said she had tried a walking brace about 22 years ago but that, because of the state of technology back then, it was quite stiff and basically felt like a body cast.
B次元官网网址淚n my old brace I couldnB次元官网网址檛 flex my ankles, I couldnB次元官网网址檛 get that realistic gait pattern that you get from walking,B次元官网网址� she said.
Huge smiles today! Hey , I walked 800m today.! Over 1440 steps. 馃槈 More than I have done 27 years! Personal Best that will need to be bettered next time. Thanks .
B次元官网网址� Michelle Stilwell (@Stilwell4BC)
She said at first, using the Lokomat felt uncomfortable because her hips were tight, but after some adjustments to the machine she was able to loosen up and could take larger steps.
Stilwell said she was recommended the Lokomat by MLA for Surrey-Panorama, Stephanie Cadieux.
B次元官网网址淚 had a bone density test done almost two years ago and thatB次元官网网址檚 something fairly common for somebody with a spinal cord injury, you kind of monitor things because when youB次元官网网址檙e not walking, your risk of osteoporosis increases,B次元官网网址� Stilwell said. B次元官网网址淎bout a year ago, I also got a standing frame for work so that I would do more weight bearing during the day to help decrease my risk of osteoporosis because my bone density test had shown I had jumped quite a bit. Then when Stephanie was telling me about [the Lokomat] I thought B次元官网网址榯hat sounds fantastic.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
Stilwell said the benefits of using the Lokomat for her are that it will help with flexibility and weight bearing, which could help decrease the risk of osteoporosis.
She said she hopes to continue using the device but will have to look into it further as sessions are fairly expensive at $175.
B次元官网网址淪ome health care benefits will cover it when you do it with a physiotherapist so IB次元官网网址檓 looking at whether thatB次元官网网址檚 an option,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 certainly use my standing frame everyday that I can when IB次元官网网址檓 here in Victoria.B次元官网网址�
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