A young boy named Leo, aged three, beams with joy as he experiences his initial strides using a green robotic walker. With a firm grip on the handlebars, Leo’s sneakers propel him forward with the aid of the device. His mother, Inna Begelfer, watches proudly, recalling a time when doctors had informed the family that Leo, diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder at six months old, would never walk.
Inna expresses her amazement at Leo’s progress, stating, “He did amazing. I have butterflies. My son can walk. Yeah, he’s disabled, but he still has the option of walking, which is amazing.” This milestone was made possible through the use of a mobility device known as Trexo, the first of its kind in the region, obtained by the Regina-based nonprofit First Steps Wellness Centre through a generous anonymous donation.
Manufactured in Ontario, the Trexo device is specifically designed to assist children facing mobility challenges due to spinal cord injuries or neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. Andy Schmidt, the community director of First Steps Wellness Centre, highlights the device’s versatility in aiding children with various conditions affecting their mobility.
The Trexo walker incorporates several motors at the hips and knees of each leg to monitor and support the child’s movements. It can facilitate a child’s first steps or help improve their walking ability by providing partial or full assistance as needed. Schmidt emphasizes the evolving technology in robotics for physical therapy, noting that the Trexo walker can now move backward, offering improved stability and bone support.
The device is tailored for children aged two to six, with potential usability for children up to eight, depending on their physical characteristics. Families interested in exploring the walker for their child can contact the center for a complimentary assessment to determine eligibility.
Schmidt underscores the nonprofit’s commitment to serving the community, emphasizing that there is no waitlist for utilizing the Trexo walker. Thanks to the anonymous donation, the center can operate the device up to six hours daily, enhancing accessibility for children in need of its benefits.
Leo’s journey with the Trexo walker symbolizes a triumph over adversity, defying initial expectations set by medical professionals. Despite being non-verbal, Leo has achieved significant milestones, including eating without a feeding tube and taking independent steps with the assistance of the robotic walker. Inna remains optimistic about Leo’s progress, foreseeing further advancements as he continues to use the Trexo device regularly.
