UTC Physical Therapy Students Learn About Exoskeletons From Paraplegic Veteran

CHATTANOOGA,TN, (WDEF)-"While in Iraq I was in a helicopter crash and upon impact I suffered a burst fracture to my spine."

Gary Linfoot was unsure if he would ever walk again but that all changed when he was given the chance to work with a company trialing 10 exoskeleton suits.

"Technology to up and coming students and physical therapists that will hopefully be able to see this type of technology and innovation soon after they graduate from school and use it in the real world."

He now walks 5 days a week for at least an hour and showcases the advancing technology around the country to raise awareness.

For physical therapy students and academics its an opportunity to see technology that they have studied for years being used first hand and not in a text book.

Emily Bowyer, 2nd year Physical Therapy Student,"Just the advances that have come along with technology and medicine and how it can impact people’s lives individually but also the whole family."

Debbie Ingram, Interim Department Head, Physical Therapy at UTC,"That is going to in the future afford more and more people the ability to more meaningful  movement."

He hopes his story will give hope to other veterans to not give up in the fight to walk again.

Linfoot’s research study and trial with the exoskeleton ends in January.

Linfoot is a native of Clarkville Tennessee and served for 23 years as a special-ops helicopter pilot.

He retired in 2010.

For more information: http://www.eksobionics.com/