On Tuesday evening Leevale athletes ran a continuous relay at CIT track to aid Helpful Steps raise funds to purchase an bionic suit.
Nathan Kirwin attend who will benefit from Exoskeleton suit attended the fund raising event. It is was a great success and we were delight to support this worth while cause.
AIM
Our aim is to use physical training and advanced technology to strengthen people with disabilities. This will improve their health and quality of life, resulting in more independence and enhanced opportunities.
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. No more sitting, wishing, waiting.
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.
WHAT IS THE FUNDRAISING TARGET?
We need a fund of €150,000 to purchase the device and all additional funds raised will go towards the purchase of support equipment and a therapy fund.
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 walking.
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.
Further donations can be made
Account Name: Helpful StepsAccount No. 94800833Sort Code: 902709IBAN: IE91BOFI90270994800833Bank Name: Bank of IrelandBank Address: Douglas Village Shopping Centre, Douglas, Cork.