High-Tech Invention Helps Paralyzed Teen Walk for Graduation

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Image Credit: WSB-TV

A Heard County teen who was paralyzed from the waist down two years ago was able to walk across the stage to receive his high school diploma thanks to some futuristic technology and physical therapy performed at Shepherd Center in Buckhead.

When Will Hutchins was paralyzed in a car accident two years ago, he quickly set his sights on a rather ambitious goal: to walk across the stage at his high school graduation. His therapists at Shepherd Center included him in a trial of a state-of-the-art powered exoskeleton called an Indego, which mimics the movement of human legs.

The Indego is described by Shepherd Center as a “walking Segway;” it is easy to put on, lightweight, and can be worn while the user is in the confines of his or her wheelchair, allowing a safe place to begin and end a walk. Parker Hannifin, the developer of the Indego, says that they hope to be able to sell the devices commercially by the end of the year. Shepherd Center continues to use the device and gather data to help make the Indego’s case to the FDA.

When Hutchins puts on the Indego, the exoskeleton stands him up and lets him walk; slowly but surely, the unstoppable teen and his therapists at Shepherd Center mastered the device and allowed the young man to finally walk again.

The device had not been used outside a clinical setting, but Parker Hannifin graciously allowed Hutchins the opportunity to use the exoskeleton to walk across the stage. Last Friday, he did just that.

“This was not a dream,” says Carla Hutchins, Will’s mother, according to the Shepherd Center. “This was a goal of his. He didn’t care how he did it. One way or another, he was going to walk across that stage.”

Hutchins’ father told WSB-TV he hopes his son can continue to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian.

See the video of Hutchins walking across the stage below: