Many spinal cord injury patients already live a full life. But new technology could add to the quality of their lives.
Technology is constantly evolving and changing lives.
This latest advancement is doing much more.
"1, 2, 3 stand," said John Greer's physical therapist.
It's providing hope.
"In over 20 years I never walk and for the first hour I got up and walking it's pretty incredible," said John Greer.
We met John and his wife Chris Greer last November.
They are paraplegics raising an able-bodied child in Dylan.
Both were involved in traffic accidents as young adults.
John is a Castle High School graduate. He was 19 when the truck he was riding in flipped.
Chris is from the United Kingdom and was on the back of a motorcycle when it crashed. She suffered a broken back. She was 20.
They haven't walked since, until now.
"I'm always optimistic so I would think that one day I would bust out of these braces I'd be running and somebody will say run Forest run!" said John.
Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific is one of the 10 leading rehab hospitals in the country. It has partnered with Berkeley Bionics to conduct trials on eLEGS Pro, a wearable, battery-powered exoskeleton that allows wheelchair users to stand and walk.
"Within these four walls we have really one of the best rehab center in the world," said Berkeley Bionics CEO, Eythor Bender.
John and Chris were the first to try it.
"To actually move and take steps, yeah indescribable and it's been a long time since I've done that and it's almost like being a baby again when you retrain yourself," said Chris. "You know to shift your weight and starting all over again but amazing, amazing feeling."
"She had her turn so we'll be racing one day I'm sure," laughed John.
Eight Hawaii residents are participating in the trials including 78-year old Amar Sappal who suffered a spinal cord injury two years ago.
"I really really think this robotic invention is a miracle," he said. "To me it was absolutely effortless. It was just like I'm walking on my own. It will allow me to be independent to be able to do things on my own to be able to go into the kitchen and make myself a cup of coffee for myself. If I can do it everybody can."
An estimated six million Americans live with paralysis today.In two years this technology could be in homes.
"Just to be upright and looking eye to eye and being stretched out is really good for the body and the mind," said John.
Changing lives one step at a time.
Developers are hopeful eLEGS Pro will be covered by insurance companies.
