Paralyzed Nebraskan takes great strides forward with help of bionic legs

[Omaha Steve]

RYAN SODERLIN / THE WORLD-HERALD
Courtney Milburn, 24, of Rushville walks in an exoskeleton with coaching from physical therapist Brad Dexter at QLI in Omaha. A 2011 car accident left Milburn with a crushed vertebra, limited use of her hands and no use of her legs. Her goal of living independently brought her to Omaha and the “Ekso.”


http://www.livewellnebraska.com/health/hansen-paralyzed-nebraskan-takes-great-strides-forward-with-help-of/article_c08a4d25-4df4-5795-83c4-061416bad940.html

Posted: Sunday, February 22, 2015 12:30 am
By Matthew Hansen / World-Herald columnist

Courtney sits in a chair and stares down at legs she cannot move as Brad straps her right foot onto the machine, then her left.

She listens intently as he explains how this machine called the “Ekso” works, how she should lean and balance her upper body when it beeps and moves her into a standing position.

“So three beeps and then up?” she says. “Yup,” says Brad, her physical therapist, who is working very hard to sound nonchalant.

They adjust the harness so that it fits snugly over her shoulders. They discuss Courtney’s long blond hair, which might get tangled in the harness.

FULL story at link.



RYAN SODERLIN / THE WORLD-HERALD
Courtney Milburn works with occupational therapist Amanda Clowers on getting muffins safely into a hot oven. Courtney is working to become independent enough to move to Lincoln, go back to school to finish her senior year of college, get a job and live her life.

[chillfactor]

1. such courage...

this young lady has..may she be successful in her venture to live independently!!!!!