Wearable Robot Helps Paralyzed Detroit Firefighter Walk

It was a hot August day as the firefighters went to work. A burning wall collapsed, critically injuring several, including Brendan Milewski.

Milewski's injuries left him paralyzed from the waist down and in a wheelchair.

The physical and mental pain has been overwhelming, but now at DMC's Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, incredible promise is coming in the form of a wearable robot.

Milewski is one of six R.I.M. patients taking part in a study of the Ekso Bionics exoskeleton. It is meant to help those with paralysis walk, which is great both physically and psychologically.

"There are a lot of physical benefits from standing and walking, the blood flow and being oriented to upright posture. We also see a ton of psychological benefit from just being able to stand and walk and be at eye level with friends and family members again," said R.I.M. physical therapist Diane Patzer.

With the help of the exoskeleton, Milewski took his first steps since being paralyzed. It was an exhausting yet exhilarating experience, and when it was over, Milewski told us he felt like a toddler learning to walk again.

"You have four different people telling you to move this, move that, keep your head straight, keep your head up. Everybody's giving you correctional pointers, but at the same time you need to just relax," he explained. "It took me about four or five steps before I was able to crack a smile and giggle about it."

Watching him brought tears to his mom's eyes.

"It is truly amazing to see him up and actually walking again," said Sharon Milewski. "We haven't seen this since before the accident, of course, so it's incredible."

Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan is one of ten rehab centers across the country selected to test out the exoskeleton. In April, they will be getting their own wearable robot, which could mean great things for patients there.