Three-year-old Leo experiences sheer joy as he embarks on his maiden voyage in a green contraption, his tiny hands clutching the handlebars while his sneakers propel him forward with the aid of a robotic walker. His mother, Inna Begelfer, beams with pride as she witnesses the momentous occasion.
Upon Leo’s diagnosis of a rare genetic disorder at six months old, a doctor had conveyed to the family that Leo would never walk. However, today, Begelfer marvels at her son’s progress, exclaiming, “He did amazing! I have butterflies. My son can walk. Yes, he faces challenges, but the fact that he can walk is incredible.”
Leo’s introduction to the mobility device known as Trexo marks a significant milestone. This innovative device, the first of its kind in the province, was obtained by the Regina-based non-profit First Steps Wellness Centre through a generous anonymous donation.
Manufactured in Ontario, the Trexo is specifically designed to assist children facing mobility issues stemming from spinal cord injuries or neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. According to Andy Schmidt, the community director of First Steps Wellness Centre, the device’s applications are extensive, catering to a wide range of conditions hindering mobility.
The Trexo operates by incorporating several motors at the hips and knees of each leg to assess the child’s movements within the walker. It can either provide partial assistance or fully move the child’s legs, aiding them in taking their initial steps or refining their gait.
Schmidt emphasizes the collaborative nature of the device, highlighting that a staff member can adjust the walker’s speed and resistance via a connected tablet. The evolution of robotics in physical therapy is evident in the Trexo’s capabilities, such as the ability to move backward, a feature absent in earlier models.
Unlike some robotics devices that do not make contact with the ground, the Trexo ensures that the child maintains contact, offering better support for bones and enhanced feedback during walking.
The Trexo is tailored for children aged two to six, with potential usability for children up to eight, depending on individual factors like height and weight. Families interested in exploring the walker for their child can now contact the center for a complimentary assessment to determine eligibility.
Operating as a non-profit charity, the center endeavors to accommodate all those in need, emphasizing that there is no waitlist for utilizing the device. Apart from charging intervals, the center estimates that the Trexo can operate for six hours daily.
Schmidt acknowledges the pivotal role of the anonymous donation in acquiring the $100,000 clinical version of the Trexo walker, emphasizing the charitable ethos of the organization and its commitment to serving the community.
Leo’s journey defying the odds is a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite being non-verbal, Leo has surpassed initial expectations by eating without a feeding tube and taking his first independent steps earlier this year. The Trexo walker has empowered him to maneuver independently, instilling hope for further progress in the future.