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An Iraq War veteran who’s been confined to a wheelchair for ten years is able to walk again with the help of a robotic exoskeleton. U.S. Army veteran Richard “Richie” Nieder hasn’t walked in ten years after suffering a debilitating spinal cord injury during Operation Iraqi Freedom. But now Nieder says he’s a “stand-up guy” again after getting a new robotic exoskeleton that allows him to stand and walk on his own.
The exoskeleton is custom built just for Neider by ReWalk Robotics and paid for by the Veterans Administration. He’s the first vet in Phoenix to receive a ReWalk and is a test case for the administration to see if ReWalks might work for other diabled veterans.
An avid motorcycle rider, Nieder plans to take his new exoskeleton on the road. He and some buddies are already planning their trip to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally next summer in South Dakota. He has a custom Indian motorcycle with a sidecar that he engineered specially for himself and his new exoskeleton will be along for the ride. “I’ll have legs and be able to walk with everybody instead of rolling with everybody!” he says.
Source: AZ Family