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Southern California has finally become privy to a new bionic suit that helps paralyzed patients walk for the once more. The technology that was developed to help soldiers is now helping making a difference in civilian’s lives. Aaron Bloom, a 27-year-old Southern California man, can attest to the significant difference the suit has made to his non-so-sedentary life of late. An accident on July 2010 left him paralyzed from the waist down but his attitude would not let him give up the hope of walking once again. "It's really important that you just get up after something like that. I think that's what's most important," Bloom told ABC Local. Ekso, the latest available in bionic technology is a battery-powered suit that was first designed to help soldiers carry heavy loads but has now been released to certain rehab centers. Bloom has for the last three months had the opportunity to get up and move around because of the suit, something he had not been able to do since his accident. "Mentally it's a wonderful feeling to be upright and moving," said Bloom. The suits capabilities are allowing the paralyzed to walk again. It has multiple functions, too – all the person has to do is provide it with is balance and body position, the suit does the rest. "I just started using this pro-step function yesterday so this is still pretty awesome, in my mind," said Bloom. Lupe Meza, a 47-year-old who became paralyzed after a cliff-jumping accident cannot wait to get into the suit. "I want to dance," said Meza. "Maybe I can make it dance. I just want to get up. I want to walk." Insurance companies for the time being do not cover the $150,000 price tag behind the suit – which does not included the therapy required to adapt to it. If patients can get their hands on one of these suits, then they can enjoy many of its benefits. Other than getting up and walking around, the suit also helps maintain the users’ bones strong. "That would help prevent osteoporosis for spinal cord injuries if you can get in a device like this," said Michael Parkinson, a physical therapist at Huntington Hospital – the first SoCal hospital to offer the suit and the therapy behind it. As of now the Esko Bionic suit can only be used by the patients at rehab centers but they are designing a version that the patients can take home. "It'll be lighter weight, it'll be easier to get on and it'll be custom made for them," said Parkinson. "I have no doubt that in my lifetime there'll be some sort of solution for spinal cord injuries," said Bloom. "I firmly believe that I'll be able to walk in the future." Paralysis is not easy to deal with, especially if it was a result of an accident. Contact a Los Angeles injury lawyer for a free consultation today if you have experienced such circumstances. You may be entitled to compensation that covers hospitalization and wages lost.
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