In Ireland, the success of exoskeletons that help children walk or walk again

Worldwide, 17 million children suffer from neurological disorders that prevent them from walking. In Dublin, a new program, unique in Ireland, aims to help them.

With a big smile and a pink sequined T-shirt, Lucy has a rare genetic condition that prevents her from walking properly. She is the first to test the new exoskeleton for children at DCU University in Dublin. “Lucy wasn’t very independent before,” says Grainne, a physiotherapist, who can’t believe the little girl’s progress in just a few months. Worldwide, 17 million children have neurological disorders that prevent them from walking. In Dublin, a new program, unique in Ireland, aims to help them with these exoskeletons, a kind of motorized full-body suit.

“Obviously, she is still small. But since she has been here, she has really gained in autonomy, in things like getting dressed, climbing on chairs. She can hold on to the table, for example to play with objects placed there!”

Grainne, physiotherapist

to franceinfo

The game is precisely at the heart of the session. Lucy thus practices walking, every week, while playing with Legos. An appointment that she would not miss for anything in the world, just like her mother, Diane. “It’s little things that you don’t really think about, but we had our first hug standing up, you can hold her hand while walking beside her! And see her standing up, so tall! I don’t know where she gets her height from, because it definitely didn’t come from meshe laughs, moved. There were a lot of really emotional moments. But yeah, it’s just incredible, honestly!”

In addition to being able to walk, the child also has his hands free. The advantage is enormous, according to Ronan Langan, the head of the program: “Normally, a child in a wheelchair has to use their arms to push the wheels, or even if they are able to stand and walk, they are usually relying on a walker or maybe crutches. So their hands are not available to interact with their environment. Which is crucial when you are young, it allows the brain to develop!”

So far, about ten children have been able to benefit from it and the demand for this type of therapy is growing sharply. However, it is the only pediatric exoskeleton in the whole of Ireland. Its cost is however extremely high: for a robot, expect at least 200,000 euros.